K I N G F I S H E R .
ALCEDO ISPIDA.
TIIERK is unfortunately a certain class of prowling gunners who never ran resist a bhol at Ibis beautiful and
harmless liitle bird Beautiful it certainly is, though its beauty departs with its lite, as the olfigies one sens in
the windows of the ordinary taxidermist arc only a caricature of the living bird.
I have met with this species in suitable localities in most parts of England that I have visited. It
becomes scarcer, according to my own experience, when the border is crossed; and not aliove ouo or two
specimens have come under my observation in the Highlands. I have no desire to affirm that the bird is
exceedingly rare in the north, as I believe some writers declare it may lie commonly seen in several different
counties; 1 only state that it has escaped my notice.
I n Sussex the Kingfisher is, or rather was, especially numerous. During autumn 1 have, in days gone
by, often observed as many as forty or fifty of these birds fishing in the channels among the mudbauks in thu
MEEFC at Rye. They used to commence working down the creeks soon after the turn of the t i d e ; and, closely
following the falling water, they found ahuudaut food in the numerous shallow pools. About half-flood they
would generally make a move, flying up the creeks, and so on, to the small drains tliat led through the
marshes, and then dispersing themselves over the levels. I have occasionally observed a score or two fly
past in small parties or threes and fours within n quarter of an hour while watching them from the
shiuglc-lianks close at hand, one or two now and then steadying themselves for a moment and then making
a dash after a shrimp or small sea-fish. Twenty years makes • difference in most things: the mudbauks
and creeks are certainly gone; and 1 expect the numerous parties of Kingfishers that frequented them remain
only in the memory of those who have had the pleasure of Handling them. The last time I visited the spot
some line specimens of South-Down mutton were grazing stolidly and complacently on the luxuriant turf
that had funned where previously hundreds of acres of mudbauks were covered by every flowing fide.
1 perceive this habit or coming down to the salt water, and even into the harbours, is common at soveral
parts of the south coast during autumn If unmolested these birds are remarkably unsuspicious of ilatiger.
I have on several occasions, when the tide was low, watched a bird or two early in the morning, before the
day's work had commenced, perched on the chaiu cables of the colliers lying alongside the wharfs in the
harbours both of Bye and Shorcham, their bright colours, lit Up by the rising sun, being peculiarly attractive
against the grimy background. Intent on watching for their prey, they would pay not the slightest head to a
boat dropping past with the tide within km or a dozen yards of their station.
I n the hroad-distriels of the east or Norfolk the birds arc not nearly so common as might lie expected.
A few stragglers may be met with during autumn and winter; but, owing to the Hat nature of the country,
they are furced to seek other localities for breeding-purposes. While Snipe-shooting one winter round
llickliug Broad, I noticed some small object splashing in the water at the side of a dyke ; and mi proceeding
to the spot, 1 discovered an unfortunate Kingfisher that had come to grief in a rather singular manner. The