THE HALCYON, OR KINGFISHER 57 



What a casual observer (such as a keen angler Its 

 intent on filling his basket, or a poet wandering by $ ener " 1 

 the running brooks in a reverie of unordered medita- colouring. 

 tion) sees of this bird is only a flash of brilliant blue 

 and green vanishing down the reach or round the bend 

 of a bosky clear-flowing stream. He probably never 

 sees it but on the wing. If, however, he has the good 

 fortune to come upon it perched upon a low bough 

 projecting over the water, and if he has the sense to 



so remain motionless as he gazes, his eyes will be blessed 

 with such a wealth and beauty of varied colouring as 

 will make him insensible to the rather ungraceful form 

 which that colouring adorns. 



Beauty of form, it is said, is of a higher order than Its form 

 beauty of colour ; and the highest beauty of form lies in dtspropor- 

 proportion. This quality nature has withheld from 

 the kingfisher. None of its parts is in proportion to 

 its bulk. The bill a h'sh-spear of splendid efficiency 

 is big enough for a bird three times its size. The 



40 arch of its head and neck is not without grace, and the 

 curve of its back, considered merely as a curve, pleases 

 the eye ; but they seem to belong to a bird of a larger 

 build, and do not combine to produce in the kingfisher 

 the harmonious effect of a well-proportioned figure. 

 The wings look short, and the tail, too, has a docked 

 appearance, making a by no means symmetrical 

 balance with the large beak ; while the feet (like 

 those of the swift) are small and feeble, so small, 

 indeed, as to be almost invisible. Such as it is, how- but well- 



50 ever, its form is well adapted to its mode of life and adapted to 



r its mode 



manner of nesting ; and these are considerations com- of life. 



pared to which matters of taste in regard to form are 

 of secondary importance. Its dimensions are Length, 



