THE KINGFISHER. 
607 
bushes, perched motionless on some stone, twig, pile, or 
similar point of observation overhanging the water, 
watching for fish; it is, however, never so preoccupied 
by its employment as to neglect its own safety. From 
time to time it cautiously raises its head, has a look 
round, and flies off as soon as it perceives anything 
suspicious. The flight of the Kingfisher cannot be 
called easy, for it demands a very quick and whirring 
motion of the wings, and appears to be fatiguing; if is, 
nevertheless, rapid as an arrow, and does good service. 
It is but rarely that this bird rises high in the air when 
flying; it usually skims along close to the surface of the 
water, following every bend of the stream. Soon after 
starting it emits a powerful, and not disagreeable cry, 
somewhat resembling, “gi-gi-gi,” or “zi-zi-zi;” while 
perching it never utters a sound. When compelled 
by necessity it can swim passably, otherwise it does 
not practice the art, inasmuch as it only dives from an 
eminence. Its walk scarcely merits the title, being more 
of a shuffle than aught else. The capabilities of this bird 
are limited to fishing, either from the perch or on the 
wing, and occasionally it will sweep over the surface of 
the water, and remain hovering like a Hawk for a few 
moments, when it suddenly darts down to seize a 
minnow, small carp, roach, or perchance a small trout or 
other fish. The old bird feeds exclusively on fish, which 
it swallows whole, and head first, so that the fins do not 
prove any impediment to the operation. The Kingfisher 
often fishes for two days before it succeeds in taking 
anything; and one may often see it dart down into the 
water without effecting a capture. In the winter it 
watches fish from the ice, to which habit it owes its 
German name of Ice-bird ( Eisvogel ). 
