54 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



rattle, and usually flies to the terrace, and alights upon 

 a small tree bending over the water, where he can over- 

 look and watch proceedings. But he does not seem to 

 be afraid of one person alone : if I go upon the wharf 

 unaccompanied, he flits along before me, alighting upon 

 the railing, often not more than fifteen or twenty feet 



KINGFISHER. 



distant, and faces about as if to intimidate me. Seeing 

 this I quietly drop upon a seat; for really, with his 

 rumpled crest and fierce - looking black eyes, he looks 

 rather formidable, being a foot or more in length. 

 Seeming to be satisfied that I am under subjection, he 

 goes on with his fishing, in which he is very expert. 

 Motionless he eyes the finny tribes beneath him until 

 one of their number comes within his range to suit his 



