The Kingfisher. 



427 



eaten by these birds is emitted in the form of small balls or 

 pellets. 



Rearing the Young. — Secure at the age of nine or ten 

 days, and place them in a box laid on its side, with a small 

 piece of wood nailed on the lower side of the front ; above 

 this fix a wire frame, to open on hinges, like a door ; put in 

 a handful or two of silver sand, and some clean straw cut 

 into short lengths, and clean out when necessary. Cover the 

 box with some thin material, and keep it in a moderately 

 warm place until the birds are feathered. Feed frequently, 

 from early morn to sunset ; give bread and milk, and the 

 milt and roe of fishes beaten to a jelly, and moistened and 

 mixed with the yolk of an egg ; whip the two together in a 

 basin with a fork. When sixteen days old a change of food 

 may be given. Destroy a few earthworms by pouring boiling 

 water over them ; afterwards place them in a pickle bottle or 

 wide-mouthed jar, with a small quantity of fine, pure, salad 

 oil, simmer slowly over a moderate fire for half-an-hour, 

 and mix with the food before-named, having previously beaten 

 the worms to a pulp. When the young birds are three weeks 

 old or so, give them a few flies and small grubs. When 

 they are able to peck, place them in a large cage, put in 

 a shallow dish containing clean spring water, and place the food 

 among it. The diet now should be pieces of fish — plaice, 

 dabs, or minnows, cut up ; they will eat it with more relish 

 given in this manner. When seven or eight weeks old they 

 will prefer the minnows alive. They must be supplied with 

 a stout perch, fixed above the water vessel in such a way that 

 they can pounce on the food easily. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The female is 

 darker and less brilliant in the various hues of her plumage 

 than the male, the bright blue being supplanted by green ; 

 the small patch of white just behind the upper mandible 

 is less prominent, and sometimes altogether wanting. 



Song. — The Kingfisher, like most birds possessed of gaudily- 

 coloured plumage, is not a vocalist ; it utters, whilst on the 

 wing, a piping, dolorous cry, but only when flying ; at other 

 times it is mute. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Choose one with a 

 long, straight, well-formed bill ; a radiant cap, rich bright 

 green, spotted with luminous blue ; the neck and throat 



