LAND BIRDS. 343 
minnows, chubs and related fish. Much complaint is made by fishermen 
about the damage done by the Kingfisher, but this is almost entirely 
imaginary. In a few cases persons who are raising gold fish, trout and 
other fish in large quantities, and in exposed situations, may suffer some- 
what from the visits of the Kingfisher, but the harm done on open streams 
and ponds is infinitesimal. 
Besides fish the Kingfisher eats large numbers of crayfish, some frogs 
(mainly when fish are scarce), and many insects. Professor Aughey, of 
Nebraska, writes “One that was sent to me to identify in September, 1874, 
had 18 locusts, in addition to portions of some fish, in its stomach. One 
that I opened in September, 1876, had mingled at least 14 locusts with his 
fish diet” (Ist Rep. U. 8. Entom. Com., App. 2, p. 39). Another writer 
records taking from a Kingfisher’s stomach “fragments of various beetles 
belonging to the families Carabide, Dytiscide and Scaraboide.”’ Larve 
of these beetles, particularly those of the Dytiscide, are known to destroy 
immense numbers of newly hatched trout, and the good done by the King- 
fisher in consuming the beetles undoubtedly more than offsets any slight 
harm it may do in catching young trout. Probably it is not markedly 
beneficial, but it is a beautiful bird, whose presence adds much to the 
pleasure of the summer resorts, and its absence would be keenly felt by the 
nature lover. The custom of shooting the Kingfisher on sight, and in- 
cluding it in the list of birds which may be killed in the competitive hunting 
matches which are in vogue in some parts of the country, cannot be too 
strongly deplored. The present law of the state protects the Kingfisher 
at all seasons and this law should be rigidly enforced. 
The Kingfisher arrives early from the south, usually in March, or by the 
time the ice is out of the streams. It lingers in the fall until the waters 
which it commonly frequents begin to freeze over, when most of the birds 
move southward, although a few occasionally remain all winter in favorable 
localities. During prolonged rough weather, when fish can be seen with 
difficulty, the Kingfisher is said to suffer much from hunger, and in such 
cases always resorts to other food, even trying to catch mice, according 
to Bendire. The latter writer also records one instance in which a King- 
fisher was seen to greedily devour the berries of the sourgum (Nyssa 
aquatica). 
At the south the eggs are laid in April, while in the Arctic Circle they may 
not be laid until the latter part of June. The male often digs a shallow 
burrow near the one occupird by his mate and uses this for roosting at night. 
According to Bendire only one brood is reared in a season, and the period 
of incubation is about sixteen days. The female alone incubates, but the 
male carries food to her at frequent intervals. For some time after the 
young leave the nest they are dependent on the old birds for at least a 
part of their food; but some of the stories as to methods employed by 
the old birds in teaching the young to fish must be taken with a very large 
grain of allowance. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Bill long, strong, sharp, with a keel on the ridge, the edges of both mandibles minutely 
barbed backward, like the tip of a porcupine quill, evidently for the purpose of holding 
the slippery prey; feet small and weak, the three front toes largely grown together 
(syndactylous), the sole much flattened, the tibia bare above the heel; head strongly 
crested; iris dark brown; bill black. ; 
Adult male: Above, clear leaden blue (plumbeous), the conspicuous double crest 
with most feathers darkening at the tips; a small white spot in front of eye; chin, throat 
