Class II. KINGFISHER. 53/> 



unenlightening learning, leave us as much in 

 the dark, as the age their authors wrote in. 



The Kingfisher never quits Italy. 



[The Kingfisher seldom flies much or far 

 from its haunt, and only passes just above the 

 surface of the water in an easy gliding swift 

 flight either up or down the stream, except 

 when it trave»ses a meadow by a shorter way 

 to a branch of the winding river it frequents. 

 It generally alights on the branch of a low tree 

 hanging over the side of the water, or upon 

 reeds, where it remains in a quiet attitude, not 

 stirring from the spot, unless when it may be 

 observed to dart down, dive under the water, 

 and bring up a small fish, which it immediately 

 swallows. It has been seen at times balancing 

 itself over the water, in which a great many of 

 the small round shining beetles were swimming 

 swiftly in a circular, and which it makes its 

 prey. Ed.] 



