KINGFISHER. 99 



fish bones were arranged in a similar manner in all the holes 

 examined, and in a particularly neat and careful manner in those 

 cases where the parent birds had only commenced laying ; and in 

 some holes examined, in which only two or three eggs had been 

 deposited, the circle of fish bones was found complete, though in 

 nests examined later, there was certainly a greater accumulation. 

 (Woolhope Trans. 1869, p. 76.) 



The nest of the Kingfisher is often discovered by a dog 

 scenting its "ancient fish-hke smell," through the soil; and the 

 nest hunters may be equally assured of its presence from the same 

 smell at the entrance of the hole. It becomes very offensive before 

 the young birds leave it, and the same offensive smell indeed attaches 

 itself to the brilliant feathers of the bird. 



Many ancient fables are told with reference to the Halcyon, 

 which cannot well be the Kingfisher, although called by that name. 

 The classical story is, that Alcyone, or Halcyone, the daughter of 

 CEolus, the god of winds and storms, married Ceyx, who was 

 drowned when going to Claros to consult the oracle. Halcyone, 

 finding his body on the sea shore, threw herself into the sea. Both 

 were changed into birds of the same name, and under the influence 

 of CEolus, the waters are kept calm and serene while they build 

 and sit on their nests. 



Perque dies placidos hiberno tempore septem 

 Incubat Halcyone, pendentibus sequore nidis 

 Turn via tuta maris : ventos custodit et arcet 

 CEolus egressu. 



Oyib— Met. XL, 745. 



Seven tranquil days upon her floating nest 

 She sits ; while winds and waters are at rest, 

 The gales are kept in durance by their king 

 Unwilling captives. 



Trans. — Rev. Thos. Woodhouse. 

 Plautus makes one of his characters in Poenulus, so upset by 

 the rough reception he meets with, that he says, speaking of it ; 

 " Well, you are done for ; at any rate, unless you make her as calm, 

 as the sea is, when the Halcyon hatches her brood there." 



PCENULUS, I., 2. 



