THk KIXG-FISHER 69 



see it ordinarily posted on dead branches, they say that it 

 dries up the wood on which it perches. In Buffon's time, 

 people had noticed that worms rarely prey upon its dead 

 body, and therefore good housewives attributed to it the 

 virtue of keeping away moths, and used to suspend the 

 dead bird in the midst of their woolen garments. 



But everything is getting vulgar and mean, even 

 superstitions. In losing its melodious name of Alcyon, 

 the unlucky king-fisher has lost even that poetical halo 

 which still shines after death. 



Whilst 1 was giving myself up to these reflexions, the 

 hot July afternoon was drawing to a close. The sun was 

 already lower and shooting oblique beams under the arch 

 formed by the beeches, and the rays were running over 

 the black surface of the river, like some marvellous 

 golden-hued insect. At the same time a breath of fresh 

 air was shaking the leafy bowers, making here and there 

 an opening for the light to pass, ruffling the surface ot 

 the rivulet with golden ripples. Then, little by little, the 

 illusion would die away, and I could only see water 

 spiders dancing a fantastic ballet on the placid waters. 



The king-fisher would again shoot across the darkness 

 like the fitful glimmer of a rainbow. He would turn ever 

 and anon about the level of the current, like an experienced 

 marauder who knows that the hours of twilight are more 

 favourable for his sport. Then suddenly he would disappear 

 under the water, reappear all dripping, carrying away 



