210 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
large animals. They probably regard the king-bird 
as one of their best friends and most desirable com- 
panions. ‘His eye moves restlessly around, traces 
the flight of an insect for a moment or two, then 
that of a second, or even a third, until he perceives 
one to his liking, when, with a shrill sweep, he pur- 
sues it, seizes it, and returns to the same spot again 
to look out for more/ 
“He will hover over the river, sometimes for a 
long time, darting after such insects as are to be 
found there, snatching them from the surface of the 
water with great dexterity, and diving about in the 
air like a swallow, for he possesses great powers of 
wing. He bathes himself by diving repeatedly into 
the water from the overhanging branches of some 
tree, where he retires again to dry and dress his 
plumage. 
“ The king-bird is very peaceful in a tame condi- 
tion, and one was known to catch morsels of food in 
his bill before they reached the ground when thrown 
across the room, his long practice with insects on the 
wing making the necessary exertion a pleasant little 
excitement. 
“ The belted kingfisher (Fig. 17) is another bird 
with a royal name, who is found in different parts 
of the world, but may be seen in Pennsylvania from 
