610 
BIRD-LIFE. 
Kingfisher, as he is aware that, owing to the small size 
of the bird and the tiny fish it feeds on, it does not 
commit any very great damage. Collectors obtain speci¬ 
mens by stalking, or shooting them on the wing: the 
surest method to pursue, however, is to lay in wait 
for the bird near its favourite haunts. The Kingfisher 
may easily be caught by bird-liming posts or twigs, 
which stand slanting or overhanging the water. This 
bird may be kept in a large cage, built over some tiny 
rivulet or stream well supplied with little fish : in this it 
thrives well for years, after having once become used to 
the confinement; besides which, it is so kindly and 
amiable in disposition that it will act as foster-parent to 
young birds of the same species, and rear them in the 
absence of their natural protectors. 
