The Kingfisher. 



425 



of the head. The side and fore neck, and part of the cheeks 

 and throat, are white, and this is intersected on each side by a 

 streak of the same colour as on the head, running in an oblique 

 direction through it to the shoulders. Immediately above the 

 base of the upper mandible there is a small white mark, and 

 beneath this a spot of black. The throat is tinged with red. 

 The primary feathers are palish black on the broader plume, 

 and greenish blue on the narrow plume. The breast, belly, 

 sides, vent, and under tail coverts, are of a dull reddish orange 

 colour, the belly, vent, and under tail coverts being palest. 

 The legs and feet are red, the latter being adapted for 

 walking. 



Habits and Beeeding. — The Kingfisher is indigenous to this 

 country, and an inhabitant of Europe generally. It is like- 

 wise found in some parts of Asia and Africa, but is not 

 plentiful anywhere. In England it is scarce, but not quite 

 so rare as is generally supposed, for it is a solitary bird, 

 frequenting pools, lakes, brooks, and rivers principally, and 

 keeping much inland. It is a rapid mover, and when on 

 the look out for food flies along at an immense pace, generally 

 keeping along the margin of a river, or in the centre of a 

 narrow stream, for a distance of several hundreds of yards, till 

 it espies its prey, when it rises in the air twenty or thirty 

 feet, wheels round, hovers for a few seconds, and then darts 

 down suddenly, seizes the fish, and hastens off to some pro- 

 jecting branch of a tree that overhangs the water, or to 

 the side of an embankment, to dispose of its prize. 



If the fish be a small one, it is placed beneath a foot, seized 

 by the head, and swallowed whole ; if too large for this 

 mode of disposition, it is eaten piecemeal, beginning at the 

 abdomen, and ripping it open. Whilst thus engaged it will 

 permit a near approach in a quiet, unobtrusive way ; 

 otherwise it will dart off suddenly, and in such haste that it 

 frequently leaves the whole or a portion of its prey behind. 

 At other times it will quietly settle on the branch of a tree 

 overhanging a pool, a narrow, shallow stream, or a sheet of 

 still, clear water, and watch intently for minnows or other 

 small fry with which to regale itself. The Kingfisher is 

 very quick in sight and certain in aim, rarely missing the 

 object aimed at. 



Kingfishers can only prosecute their avocation on bright, 



