88 



SHORT-TAILED KINGFISHERS. 



COMMON KINGFISHER. 



Alcedo Ispida. A. atro-mridis, subtusfttha, dorso cccruleo 



siniOy vert ice maculis transversis c&ruleis. 

 Dark-green Kingfisher, fulvous beneath, with brilliant-blue back, 



and crown marked by transverse blue spots. 

 Alcedo Ispida. A- bracfyyura, supra cyanea, subtus fttlva, loris 



rufis. Lin. Syst. Nat. 

 Ispida. Gesn. Aldrov. SfC. fyc. 

 The Kingfisher. Will. orn. Pemi. Brit. Zoo!. 

 Le Martin-pcheur. Ruff. ois. PL Enl. 77. 

 Common Kingfisher. Lath. syn. 



THE Alcedo Ispida or Common Kingfisher is 

 the only species of this genus found in Europe, 

 where, as well as in other parts of the Old Conti- 

 nent, it is chiefly observed in the temperate re- 

 gions. Of the British birds it is by far the most 

 brilliant, and indeed no European bird can equal 

 it iii splendor of colours except the Coracias Gar- 

 rula or Roller, and the Merops Apiaster or Bee- 

 Eater, neither of which are natives of Britain, 

 though sometimes seen as occasional stragglers. 

 The Kingfisher is a bird of a retired and solitary 

 nature, and is only to be found near rivers, brooks, 

 or stagnant waters, living entirely on the smaller 

 kind offish: its general length is about seven inches, 

 its breadth eleven inches, and its weight about 



