THE KINGFISHER. 
371 
Mr. Yarrell observes that the kingfisher is “ a difficult bird to 
shoot on the wing but from its usual flight being direct, like 
that of the water-ouzel and quail, I should call it easy : — this will, 
however, depend on the individual shooter. I sincerely hope 
that those who follow the bird with evil intent may find that it is 
“ difficult ” to be shot. Occasionally, both in summer and winter, 
I have seen a couple of kingfishers, apparently in playful mood, 
describing graceful curves after the manner of the sandpiper 
{Totanus hypoleucos), as they flew gently over the surface of the 
w T ater. Their splendid plumage was at the same time displayed 
to the best advantage, and they gave forth their peculiar shrill 
piping call. This resembles the call of the sandpiper more than 
that of any bird with which I am acquainted, but may perhaps be 
termed louder, hoarser, and not so shrill. For several years suc- 
cessively, a pair of these birds were known to have their nest in 
holes in the banks of a rivulet at Seymour Hill, near Belfast ; and 
at the Falls, an old pair with their four or five young have been 
seen perched on the same rail, not far distant from their nest. 
This species has already been mentioned as resorting to an up- 
land locality in the month of August, and remaining there through 
September ; after which period and through the winter, it is to be 
met with about the streams and rivers of the lower grounds, and 
occasionally about the estuary of Belfast bay. A couple of them 
were remarked by my observant friend Mr. James R. Garrett, 
throughout the month of January, 1836, to frequent the river 
Lagan where subject to the flow of the tide ; he has seen them, 
when on wing, plunge after their prey in the same manner as the 
gannet, and the tern. At the mouth of another river, where it enters 
the bay, three or four have been seen in company. At ebb-tide, this 
species has been observed fishing here in shallow pools of sea- 
water in its most picturesque manner, — suspended above the 
water, and darting down upon its prey. This mode must necessa- 
rily have been resorted to, as there was no branch of a tree or 
perch from which the bird could be on the look-out; bnt at 
rivers with wooded banks its prey is occasionally taken in the 
same manner. I remember being once entertained by observing 
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