io8 T H E C R A N E K I N D. 



morfelsj for his legs arc longer in proportion than his neck is, according 

 to the general make of birds. His plumage is blue, fofc, and fliining, with 

 fplendid refleftions; his feet long, and a kind of flat piece on his head, 

 bare of feathers, as it were a large fcale ; the bafe of his bill is of a 

 beautiful red; a tuft of white feathers at the tail fets off his blue plu- 

 mage. The female refembles the male, but is rather Icfs ; not quite 

 equal to a Hen in fize. This beautiful bird has all the qualities requifite 

 to domeftication, and was domefticated among the Romans, but for 

 fliew only. Lays fix white eggs, round; duds itfelf like the Cock; its 

 toes are very long ; no membranes. Male and fcm.ale afliit in making the 

 nefl. 



THE KING-FISHER 



EX H I BITS the beautiful plumage of the peacock, thefhadings of 

 the humming bird, the bill of the crane, and the Ihort legs of the 

 fwallow. 



Not much larger than a fwallow; fhape clumfy; legs difproportion- 

 abVy fmall ; bill difproportionably long; two inches from the bafe to the 

 tip; the upper chap black, and the lower yellow; the crown of the head 

 and the coverts of the wings are of a deep blackifh green,' fpotted with 

 bright azure; the back and tail are of the moft refplendent azure; the 

 whole under-fide of the body is orange^coloured; a broad mark of the fame 

 pafles from the bill beyond the eyes; beyond that a large white fpot ; the 

 tail is fhort, and confifts of twelve feathers of a rich deep blue; the feet 

 are of a reddilh yellow, and the three joints of the outmoft toe adhere to 

 the middle toe, while the inner toe adheres only by one; which is a fingular 

 conformation. 



Is for ever on the wing, and feeds on fifti; frequents the banks of rivers ; 

 and takes its prey, in winter efpecially, by balancing at a certain diftance 

 above the water for a confiderable time, then falling like lead into the 

 water, and feizing the fifii with inevitable certainty. While fufpended in 

 the air, in a bright day, the plumage exhibits a beautiful variety of the 

 moll: dazzling and brilliant colours ; but he often fits on a projecting branch 

 or ftone, watching the water. 



The King-fiftier with which we are acquainted at prcfent, though 

 mod likely the ancient Alcyone, has none of thofe powers of allaying the 

 llorm, or building upon the waves, with which fable furnifhed it anciently ; 



