54 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
black. Neck and breast, black. Under parts, light 
brown. Legs, yellow. Wings, white bands on under 
pai ts are conspicuous when flying - . (See p. 59) 
FOOD—Insects, grubs and fruit, especially fond 
ol } oung giass-hoppers and locusts. It was brought 
from India to Australia to reduce the number of 
these insects, and came thence to New Zealand. 
NEST (See pp. 43, 46)—Built 
sheltered place j 4, 5 or 6 eggs. 
roughly in any 
HABITS—Prefers gardens and orchards rather 
an life m the bush. Can be taught to talk when 
in captivity. Sometimes walks, sometimes hops. 
THE KINGFISHER 
SONG—Harsh calls of two or three notes. 
^ l\'? : 1 J ' m : 1 :f ll-m: | . f : 1 . m 
Rah-kow Rah-kow O-rah-kow O-ra-kow 
around^ RI k T n N ~ BIaCk bdl and band of black 
olTve IT,, ^ PartS ’ sea 'g reen with tinge of 
Un f r , P arts > brownish white. Wings and 
tail, deep sky blue (parts). Maori name, “Kotare.” 
feimt BIT ^r Se f ld ° m S6en ° n the §' round - Sits on 
darthm- flf L Z await . in §T its prey. Short, rapid, 
Feed thei & ’ ° ten . sklmmin §T cI ose over water, 
eed their young until they are full grown. 
FOOD—Fish, small crabs, young birds young 
choice^cc r3 H • ’ glUl f’ SnaiIS ’ worms and spiders— 
home Mn n§ ' 1° °, Cality in Which has “ ade its 
forTunatfl K natlirahsts have testified to its un- 
6 hkm % for y° un gf birds, especially white- 
