THE KINGFISHER. 



259 



emerald. "We were once fortunate enough to watch one, 

 within a few yards, for some time. It was on a calm sunny 

 day; the bird was observed to settle on the post of a rail, 

 projecting into a piece of water : a boat was gently impelled 

 towards it, in perfect silence; it seemed to take no notice, 



['he Kingfisher. 



sitting motionless, as if it had been stuffed and placed there 

 for ornament. In an instant it darted off, with so rapid a 

 motion, that a green bright line from the post to a splash of 

 water where it had plunged, alone marked its course. In 



