606 
BIBD-LIFE. 
differ but little in brilliancy of plumage, and age pro¬ 
duces but little alteration, for females and young birds are 
almost as beautiful as an old mature male. This bird is 
about eight to eight and a half inches in length, the 
expanse of wing being twelve inches. 
Our Kingfisher, as he is aptly termed from the regal 
brilliancy of his plumage, is widely distributed. He is met 
with almost all over Europe, with the exception of the 
very high latitudes; in Asia, as far as the river Obi in 
Siberia; as also in China; and, during the migratory 
season, he is found in Southern Europe and Northern 
Africa. Kingfishers, as a rule, do not migrate, most of 
them remaining in much about the same locality 
throughout the year, as long as there is any open water 
to be found; if, however, the frost is very hard, and the 
ponds and streams are frozen over, they migrate to the 
countries above mentioned. This bird is fond of brooks 
well stocked with fish, as well as rivers and ponds, 
especially such as lie remote from observation, and whose 
banks are well furnished with bushes and reeds. Each 
pair has its own beat, and none other is allowed to 
intrude : this district is thoroughly beaten every day, 
and all its nooks and corners well examined. The 
Kingfisher changes its beat according to circumstances. 
Thus it frequents ponds when they are being cleaned 
out, or when the brooks and rivers have become so 
discoloured by heavy floods that it can no longer see to 
take its prey. 
There is much that is singular in the habits of this 
bird. It is a quick, wild, shy, and quarrelsome crea¬ 
ture, keeping to itself, and impatient of associates, 
above all, those of its own species, which it especially 
avoids. It may generally be seen under cover of the 
