﻿torrents of the Lebanon, among the mined columns of Tyre, or in the seething swamps of 

 the -Ionian valley. All three species (A. ispida, C. rudis, and H. smyrnerms) resort to the 

 shores of the Dead Sea, attracted by the shoals of fishes which are brought down by the 

 fresh water streams and soon stupified by the brine of the Lake. One morning on the 

 western side, Mr. Shepherd shot all three species within a few minutes of each other; 

 generally, however, we met with A. ispida in more secluded localities, and on the banks of 

 -mailer streams than the others, and even in ditches. In the Lebanon it is the only species." 



In Corfu and Epirus, Lord Lilford (Ibis, 1860, p. 236) found it "very abundant and 

 re-ident;" and in Turkey, Messrs. Elwes and Buckley (Ibis, 1870, p. 189) say that it is not 

 uncommon in suitable localities. Captain Sperling likewise observes (Ibis, 1864, p. 282) 

 that "it is common about the marshes and salt-water lagoons of Greece." Mr. Robson 

 boa sent several specimens from Asia Minor and Turkey, in both of which countries it 

 appears not uncommon. 



Demidofl' savs (Voy Russ. Merid. 3, p. 207) that "the Kingfisher lives in pairs on 

 the shady banks of all the rivers which empty themselves into the Black Sea; towards the 

 middle of April it arrives on the marshes which are found in the neighbourhood of Odessa. 

 It is pretty generally distributed throughout the province of Ghouriel." 



I)e Filippi says that he saw it once at Nickbey in Persia, but it is probable that the 

 bird here observed was A. bengalensis, and we suspect that the A. ispida of Hutton (J.A.S. 

 B. xvi. pt. II, p. 777), from Kandahar, where it is "found on the banks of rivers all the 

 vear through," is referable to the same bird. 



To the eastward the range of the Common Kingfisher is difficult to determine, for it 

 has certainlv been often confounded with A. bengalensis, but it probably does not extend for 

 beyond the Ural, if indeed it crosses this barrier. 



Beautiful as many of our British Birds undoubtedly are, for brilliancy of plumage the 

 Kingfisher stands unsurpassed ; and although it cannot boast an elegant form, it is, nevertheless, 

 a general favourite on account of its beautiful appearance. Scarcely any of our rivers are 

 without the attendant Kingfisher, and even dwellers in the neighbourhood of London may 

 make its acquaintance, for the banks of the Thames are enlivened by its presence, while 

 we have on one occasion seen it flying on the ornamental water in St. James's Park. In 

 the list of birds observed wild in the Zoological Gardens, published by Mr. Louis Fraser 

 ( F.Z.S., 1863, p. 159), the Kingfisher is not included, but we have seen one on a single 

 occasion sitting over the water in one of the ponds, probably attracted by the notes of its 

 companions in the Aviary in the Fish-house. When in a wild state, flying along the banks 

 of a stream or sitting patiently at watch for its finny prey, the Kingfisher is a beautiful 

 sight. (Mien ha- it been our good fortune to witness the bird at close quarters, but this is 

 Ia no means easy to accomplish, owing to the extreme wariness of the bird from repeated 

 p rsecution. The presence of the Kingfisher in one's neighbourhood can be detected from 

 some distance by the faint cry which falls upon the ear from afar. This note, which is a 

 shrill but not unmusical scream, generally consists of two syllables, but is very difficult to 

 nuder in language. Nanmann gives it as " ti-it" which is by no means a bad representation 

 of the cry. ami these syllables are quickly repeated as the bird leaves its perch and skims 

 over the Btream. The flight is rapid and very direct, the bird speeding like a bullet a little 

 bi ighl above the surface of the water. When suddenly disturbed it utters its cry shortly 

 after h av ing its perch, and then flies for some distance in silence, but when passing 

 unmolested from one resting-place to another, its shrill note may be heard at frequent 

 intervals. Just before perching the cry is uttered three or four times successively — ti-ti-ti. 

 When resting it sits uprightly with the glance directed downwards, motionles sly scanning the 

 stream beneath, intent on the capture of any fish or water insect which may come within 

 it- reach. Its unerring dive seldom proves fruitless, and when secured, a few smart raps 

 on its perch, to which the bird always returns, deprives the victim of life, after which it is 

 immediately swallowed. Except in the early morning it seldom chooses a very open position 



