100 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
into the stream of water, they commence killing them, 
regardless of who may be near ; and so surely do 
they strike, that although we have repeatedly observed 
them, we never yet saw them miss their prey. As 
soon as they have caught a fish, they kill it, knock- 
ing its head against anything that may be near them. 
The quantity of fish consumed by each is almost 
incredible — we should think, on the average, not 
less than six ounces a day each; they could not 
exist twenty-four hours without food, they so quickly 
digest it. There can be no doubt that the sole reason 
of the kingfisher migrating to the sea-side, on the 
approach of severe weather, arises from the voracity 
of its appetite.^' 
" They are quite tame and domesticated, frequently 
sitting on the head or shoulder of the person who is 
in the habit of cleaning out their little dwelling. 
They are also very cleanly. We have observed them 
dive into the water as many as forty times incessantly, 
for the purpose of washing — this is generally done in 
the evening. Although they appear satisfied with 
their confinement, they are far from being friendly 
with each other ; they fight with their wings, some- 
thing after the manner of the swan. This is rather 
