190 IN BIRD-LAND 



watching the movements of a bird, some wild 

 rabbits came and sat near, and commenced to 

 nibble the young grass shoots that were found 

 there. Not the slightest notice did they take as 

 long as I remained perfectly still ; but as darkness 

 was coming on, I was compelled to move, and the 

 rabbits rushed away in all directions in great alarm 

 the instant that my head was raised. 



The Kingfisher has always been associated with 

 a certain amount of superstition. The ancients 

 supposed that it built upon the ocean, but as a 

 storm would quickly have destroyed such a nest, 

 the bird was supposed to be endowed with powers 

 to quiet the waves while hatching her eggs ; and 

 during this period, the water, out of kindness, 

 remained calm, while the mariner was able to 

 venture forth with perfect safety. Hence, this 

 tranquil period became known as Halcyon days. 



" Expect Saint Martin's summer, Halcyon days." 



SHAKESPEARE, Henry VI., Part i., Act i., Sc. 2. 



The dead body of the bird was supposed to 

 protect persons from thunder, while it preserved 

 the peace of the family that possessed one. 



The skin preserved with outstretched wings, and 

 carefully balanced by a single thread from the back, 

 was also supposed to point its beak in the direction 



