BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 53 



i ul : they will not allow a too close familiarity. I have 

 spent much time in trying to cultivate their acquaint- 

 ance, but they keep a measured distance between us, 

 seeming to say, " So far, and no farther." If I remain 

 very quiet, they sometimes glide along within a few 

 feet of me, with an air of sublime indifference, as if I 

 were scarcely worth a second look. They take their 

 bath and arrange their toilet each day. Wading out 

 into the river a short distance, they plash a while in 

 the water, and then return to the terrace, and spread 

 themselves in the sun to dry ; when nearly dry, they 

 arrange their feathers with their stout beaks. They 

 always announce their arrival and departure from the 

 terrace with the not unmusical cry of killdee, killdee ! 

 dee, dee, dee ! 



The belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyori) is another fa- 

 miliar bird that frequents the grounds. His name indi- 

 cates his occupation, and a very successful fisher he is. 

 His fishing -post is on the railing that runs along the 

 wharf. The wharf extends from the grounds about two 

 hundred and fifty feet into the river. Whether he re- 

 mains at this post the entire year I do not know ; we 

 find him here upon our arrival, and leave him here 

 when we depart for the North. I am inclined to think 

 this his permanent residence ; at all events, he objects 

 to being disturbed, as if he had been sole manager too 

 long to yield the ground without a loud protest. If 

 more than one person goes upon the wharf, he leaves 

 with a clang and clatter which sound like a watchman's 



