270 ALCEDINID^. 



probably no properties which made them superior to bents 

 or dry leaves, but serving the purpose as well as anything 

 else, and being more readily available, by a bird that 

 does not peck on the ground, than materials of any other 

 kind. 



The wanderer by the river's side on a bright sunny 

 day, at any season, may have his attention suddenly 

 arrested by the sight of a bird shooting past him, either 

 up or down the stream, at so slight an elevation above 

 the water, that he can look down on its back. Its flight 

 is rapid, and the colour of the plumage so brilliant, that 

 he can compare it to nothing less dazzlingly bright than 

 the richest feathers of the peacock, or a newly dug 

 specimen of copper ore. After an interval of a few 

 seconds it will perhaps be followed by a second, its mate, 

 arrayed in attire equally gorgeous with emerald, azure, 

 and gold. Following the coui'se of the bird, let him 

 approach cautiously any pools where small fish are likely 

 to abound, and he may chance to descry, perched motion- 

 less on the lower branch of an alder overhanging the 

 stream, on some bending willow, or lichen-covered rail, the 

 bird which but now glanced by him like a meteor. If 

 exposed to the rays of the sun, the metallic green of 

 its upper plumage is still most conspicuous ; if in the 

 shade, or surrounded by leaves, its orange coloured breast 

 betrays its position. Not a step further in advance, or 

 the fisherman, intent as he is on his sport, will take alarm 

 and be off to another station. With beak pointed down- 

 wards it is watching until one among a shoal of minnows 

 or bleaks comes within a fair aim ; then with a twinkle 

 of the wing it dashes head foremost from its post, plunges 

 into the stream, disappears for a second, and emerges still 

 head foremost with its struggling booty. A few pinches 

 with its powerful beak, or a blow against its perch, deprives 

 its prey of life, and the morsel is swallowed entire, head 

 foremost. Occasionally, where convenient perches are rare. 



