212 On the Ornithology of Wilts l^Halct/onidee.'] 



with outstretched pinions, with apparently little or no effort, 

 and with surprizing speed, and protracting their aerial rambles, as 

 if they were incapable of fatigue. 



HALCYONID^ (The Kingfishers). 



Members of this family are generally remarkable for the extreme 

 brilliancy of their plumage : they are chiefly natives of more 

 tropical climates, as the brilliant colours of their plumage demon- 

 strate, one only species and that of marvellous splendour, inhabiting 

 this country or indeed Europe generally : they prey upon small 

 fishes and insects, the former of which they procure by darting 

 down upon them from some elevated place as they rise to the 

 surface of the water, and the latter by pouncing upon them in 

 their flight : their feet, like others of this tribe, are small and feeble, 

 their beak straight and pointed, and their flight rapid. 



"Kingfisher" (Alcedo ispida). The gorgeous colours of this 

 the most beautiful of all our British birds, defy description : there 

 is on the upper parts such a mixture of the brightest blue with 

 the most vivid green, and these colours blend with one another, 

 and are reflected with such marvellous brilliancy and with such 

 metallic lustre, that they must be seen to be duly appreciated ; all 

 the under plumage is of a reddish orange. The Kingfisher is not 

 uncommon wherever there is a stream ; indeed for lack of a river 

 or brook, I have known it haunt the foul sluggish water-course of 

 a long line of water meadows, and even a stagnant pond in a cow 

 yard : but it is a shy bird, and generally' avoids the habitations of 

 man : it is also essentially solitary in its habits, and except during 

 the breeding season, is always found alone : its mode of seizing the 

 smaller fish on which it preys is singular : it will sit for a con- 

 siderable time on a rail or bush overhanging the water, and watch 

 in patience the arrival of some victim, when with the most rapid 

 flight it will dart like lightning beneath the surface, and seizing 

 its unsuspecting prey in its bill, bring it back to the station it 

 before occupied, there to be devoured at leisure : at other times it 

 may be seen shooting like a meteor over the brook, always however 

 following the course of the stream, and if its quick eye catches 



