The Kingfisher seizes his prey by diving, and if it is small and pliable swallows it at once, but if it consists of the larger and more spiney fish they are beaten to pulp against a branch before they are swallowed, and even then the struggles and contortions the bird goes through before finally mastering the fish, would be very ludicrous were they not so evidently distressing.
The term haleyon days (days of fair weather) is derived from this bird's Latin name, The Kingfisher was once supposed to build his nest on a little raft and float out to sea with it, having the power of averting storms during the period of incubation. The modern Kingfisher is too wise to try any such experiment; he well knows that no one can fathom our climate or restrain Apollos from watering at unseemly times, so he digs deep into a bank, road eut, or quarry and the precious eggs are laid many feet from the outer air.
What a racket the old birds make in the breeding-season! There may be loving, harmonious Kingfisher households, but if so these sounds belie them. But who can say how-ever; the seemingly angry shrieks of both parents may be "Rock-a-Bye, Baby," arranged by a Kinglisher Wagner as a duet!
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