HALCYONID^E. 117 



poultry of which it is accused. It is about eighteen inches 

 in length, and not remarkable for the beauty of its colours. 



THE COMMON KINGFISHER. Alcedo ispida. None of 

 our native birds exceed the Kingfisher in brilliancy of co- 

 lour ; and its beauty is enhanced by the continually chang- 

 ing tints of its plumage, which vary with every change of 

 light and of position. It is not common, though occasion- 

 ally occurring throughout the British Islands in suitable 

 situations; that is to say, by streams and rivers in secluded 

 spots. On the European continent it is also generally, but 

 not abundantly, diffused. The Kingfisher usually captures 

 its prey by watching on some branch or stump overhanging 

 the stream, and then, at some favourable moment, by a sud- 

 den plunge, seizing the fish which comes within its reach. 

 The place chosen for incubation is a burrow, probably made 

 by the bird itself, in the steep or overhanging bank of a 

 stream or river, where, at the end of a gallery two or three 

 feet in extent and always somewhat ascending in its pro- 

 gress, it lays six or seven eggs, of pearly whiteness. 



THE GREAT BELTED KINGFISHER. Alcedo Alcyon. This 

 is a native of America, from Hudson's Bay to Mexico. Its 

 flight is rapid, and its voice, harsh and loud, has been 

 likened to the sound of a watchman's rattle ; but its plu- 



