370 
HALCYONIDiE. 
by observing from the windows, a kingfisher perched on the handle 
of a spade, and looking a miserable object from its being “ all 
dronkit ” with heavy rain. It did not betray any shyness, though 
several persons passed within about a dozen paces, but remained 
on this ungraceful perch * for not less than an hour, until driven 
away by the owner of the spade going to resume his work. This 
trivial circumstance is mentioned in connection with the chosen 
haunts of the kingfisher at this locality ; some writers having de- 
scribed it as a wild and unapproachable bird, avoiding the vicinity 
of human dwellings. I have never found it so at any season. A 
relative, who has bestowed much attention on kingfishers, has been 
surprised by frequently observing them alight in beds of reeds 
growing on oozy banks beyond his reach, whence they could not 
again be raised either by his shouting or throwing stones. When 
much persecuted, as this bird generally is on account of its splendid 
plumage, it fortunately does become wild. 
To my regret I was once guilty of the death of a kingfisher, 
but under extenuating circumstances. When in pursuit of wood- 
cocks and snipes along the partially wooded banks of a rivulet, 
during frost which succeeded a heavy fall of snow, a small bird of 
a peculiar appearance was sprung two or three times as we advanced, 
and always within shot ; at lastl fired, and to my astonishment, on 
going to the spot where the victim fell, found it to be a kingfisher. 
Sportsmen must have remarked the changed aspect of birds rising 
against a snowy background, but would hardly be prepared, as in 
this instance, to see a kingfisher lose all its brilliancy, and assume 
a hue, dark and sooty as the water-ouzel; yet such it did. Had 
the bird not appeared under false colours, the trigger would have 
been untouched. Its mode of flight should certainly have indi- 
cated the species ; but over this, unfortunately, the negative 
character arising from the absence of its wonted beauty prevailed. 
Besides, it is not the snow-clad landscape that should bring to 
mind the kingfisher, whose vesture is more in accordance with the 
torrid zone than the arctic circle. 
* I have seen the kingfisher perched on the not more picturesque brickbat, and 
on the mud of the river. 
