Family ALCEDINID^. 



THE KINGFISHER. 



Alcedo ispida (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 24. 



This beautiful bird, renowned for the gem-like brightness of its plumage, 

 is found over the greater part of the British Islands, and although well known, 

 is not by any means common, owing to the persecution it receives on account 

 of the value of its feathers for the dressing of artificial flies, and the demands 

 of millinery ; it is also much sought after as a subject for the taxidermist, and a 

 good many are destroyed by the owners of fishings. 



In Europe it ranges from Scandinavia and Russia to the Mediterranean. 



The Kingfisher generally chooses for its nesting site a steep bank by a pond 

 or riverside, in which by digging with its bill it excavates a tunnel with an 

 upward slope, penetrating about two feet into the soil, although the distance 

 varies. The entrance is narrow, but is made wider and rounded at the extremity 

 in order to accommodate the sitting bird and nestlings. 



There is no real nest, the eggs, which are glossy white and from six to eight 

 in number, being merely laid on an unsavoury deposit of fish-bones cast up 

 in the form of pellets by the birds. Amid these unpleasing surroundings the eggs 

 are hatched, and as the young gain strength they come to the mouth to receive 

 the small fish brought in rapid succession by the parents. 



After leaving the nest, and before they are able to fend for themselves, the 

 little birds form a charming picture as they sit on a bough waiting to be fed. 

 The food consists of small fish, such as minnows, stickle-backs, and other kinds, 

 as well as tadpoles and aquatic insects ; small crustaceans are also said to be taken. 

 The Kingfisher's mode of fishing is to remain motionless on the bough of a tree, 

 post, or some other point of vantage, until its prey comes within reach, when 

 with a sudden dash into the stream it is secured, carried to a branch, and speedily 

 killed by a few sharp strokes against the perch, when with a dexterous movement 

 it is so held as to be always swallowed head foremost. Sometimes the bird 

 may be seen hovering over the water before darting at its prey. 



The note of the Kingfisher is a shrill cry, several times repeated, and has 

 been likened to that of our common Sandpiper. 



The flight is straight and rapid, usually carried out close to the water and 

 following the turnings of the river, though the bird will often travel some distance 

 over ground away from any stream. During the greater part of the year it is 

 rather a solitary bird, and suffers much during severe weather owing to its food 

 supply being cut off by the freezing of the waters, and at such times it commonly 

 makes its way to the sea-shore. 



The sexes are alike in colour, the female being perhaps slightly duller. 



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