Bird Study 103 



7. What is the note of the kingfisher? Does it give it while perching 

 or while on the wing? Do you ever find more than one kingfisher on the 

 same fishing grounds? 



Supplementary reading — The Second Book of Birds, Chapter XXX; 

 "The Halycon Birds," Child's Study of the Classics; Audubon Leaflet 

 No. 19; "Kooskosemus," Long; American Birds, Finley. 



THE KINGFISHER (OF ENGLAND) 



For the handsome Kingfisher , go not to the tree, 

 No bird of the field or the forest is he; 

 In the dry river rock he did never abide, 

 And not on the brown heath all barren and wide. 



He lives where the fresh, sparkling waters are flowing. 

 Where the tall heavy Typha and Loosestrife are growing; 

 By the bright little streams that all joyfully run 

 Awhile in the shadow, and then in the sun. 



He lives in a hole that is quite to his mind, 

 With the green mossy Hazel roots firmly entwined; 

 Where the dark Alder-bough waves gracefully o'er. 

 And the Sword-flag and Arrow-head grow at his door. 



There busily, busily, all the day long. 

 He seeks for small fishes the shallows among; 

 For he builds his nest of the pearly fish-bone. 

 Deep, deep, in the bank, far retired, and alone. 



Then the brown Water-Rat from his burrow looks out. 

 To see what his neighbor Kingfisher' s about; 

 And the green Dragon-fly, flitting slowly away, 

 Just pauses one inoment to bid him good-day. 



O happy Kingfisher! What care should he know. 

 By the clear, pleasant streams, as he skims to and fro. 

 Now lost in the shadow, now bright in the sheen 

 Of the hot summer sun, glancing scarlet and green! 



■ — Mary Howitt. 



