32 A PEACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



Soft parts. — Bill black, base of under mandible reddish in <J and 

 sometimes in $ ; legs and feet coral -red ; iris dark brown. 



Characters and allied forms. — A. a. atihis (north Africa, Syria) 

 has a slightly finer bill ; A. a. pallasii (west Siberia, Persia) is 

 smaller and A. a. bengalensis (east Siberia, Japan, China, India) 

 is still smaller. Brilliant blue upper-parts and chestnut under- 

 pays, short tail and long bill distinguish Kingfisher from other 

 British birds. 



Field -characters. — Unique among our native birds in brilliance 

 of its coloration. Upper-parts dazzling cobalt-blue or emerald- 

 green according to incidence of light ; under-parts, chiefly notice- 

 able when bird is stationary, warm reddish-buff ; feet sealing- 

 wax red. Even at a distance and when colours are not evident, 

 short shuttle -shaped form and direct and rapid flight close to 

 surface of water are unmistakable. Habitat restricted perforce 

 by nature of its food, but, given water, bird is found in diverse 

 situations, streams, canals, lakes, fen-drains, and, particularly 

 in winter, tidal estuaries, gutters on salt marshes, and rock -pools 

 on coast. Prey usually captured by plunging obliquely from 

 branch overhanging water, a tree-stump or lock-gate, but at times 

 bird hovers over open water with body erect, at right angles to 

 surface and ten to twelve feet above it, and plunges from this 

 position. Call, a loud, clear " ch'kee " twice or thrice repeated ; 

 whilst, in spring, a whistling repetition of this note apparently 

 functions as a love-song. 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts rivers and slow-flowing streams by 

 preference. Nesting-hole. — Made generally in steep bank by side 

 of stream, but also at times in sand-pit or bank at considerable 

 distance from water, and occasionally among roots of trees or in 

 hole of wall. Tunnel generally about a yard in length, ending in 

 circular chamber, where eggs are laid without any nest-material, 

 although fish-bones are deposited afterwards. Eggs. — Normally 

 7, less commonly 6, rarely 8, while 9 and even 10 are said to have 

 occurred, pure white, very glossy and spherical in shape. Average 

 of 100 eggs, 22.6 x 18.7 mm. Max. : 24.2 X 19 and 21.3 X 19.7. 

 Min. : 21 X 19 and 23 X 16.7. Breeding-season. — Usually towards 

 end April, exceptionally as early as March. Although usually single 

 brooded, in some cases a second brood is undoubtedly reared. 

 Incubation. — Period uncertain. Fledging-period. — 24 days (A. 

 Taylor). 



Food. — Chiefly small fish, minnow, miller's thumb (Cottus gobio), 

 sticklebacks, gudgeon (Gobio fluviatilis), roach, pike, stone loach, 

 fry of various species, etc. Occasionally mollusca, tadpoles, worms, 

 fresh -water shrimp, large water-beetles, larvae of dragon-flies and 

 diptera, and Notonecta glauca recorded, also frog and newt (once 

 each). At sea coast shrimps, prawns and small rock-fish taken. 



