149 
1921 .] Economic Status of the Kingfisher. 
The species which go to form the total of 60*67 per cent, 
consist almost entirely of neutral species, 7*28 per cent, only 
consisting of trout. 
The highest percentage of fish is consumed in the months 
of October, November, January, February, and March, and 
the mwest in April. 
Insects, most of which are injurious to trout, constitute 
15"66 per cent, of the total bulk of food, and the highest 
percentage is taken in the spring (March, April, and June), 
so that much of this material consists of voracious larvae, 
most of which occasion a large amount of damage to fish 
ova and fry. 
Only 5*33 per cent, of Crustacea are taken, most of which 
are referable to Gammarus pulex, which species I am 
informed attacks the eggs of fishes. The consumption of 
worms and molluscs is only small. 
A summary of the percentages of the various food items 
shows that 77*4 per cent, of the food is of a neutral nature, 
15*66 per cent, is beneficial, and only 7*28 per cent, is 
injurious. 
It is obvious, after considering the results obtained in this 
investigation, that the pisciculturist is grossly mistaken as 
to the economic position of the Kingfisher, and that despite 
the small percentage of trout that it destroys, it is really 
a very beneficial bird in that it destroys a much larger 
percentage of acknowledged enemies. Moreover, the little 
damage it occasions is not altogether beyond prevention. 
In view of these results it is sincerely to be hoped that 
very strict and rigorous protection will be afforded this bird 
for the future. A clause in" any new Act of Parliament 
affecting wild birds, making it an offence to stuff or set up 
specimens of the Kingfisher, excepting under a permit, 
would certainly tend to reduce the present senseless 
destruction. 
