434 HISTORY Of 



The kingfisher with which we are acquainted at present, has 

 >>one of those powers of allaying the storm, or building upon the 

 waves ; it is contented to make its nest on the banks of rivers 

 in such situations as not to be affected by the rising of the 



Tlieir conjugal affei-tiou first is tried, 

 And still the mournful race is multiplied." 



'riie description of this bird by Aristotle is both luminous and accurate. 

 " The halcyon," says he, " is not much larger than a spsirrow ; its plumiige 

 is painted with azure and green, slightly tinged with purple,— these colours 

 not being distinct, but blending into one another; and shining in an iride. 

 scent manner over the whole body, the wings, and the neck ; the bill is 

 greenish yellow (irro;tAa/«o5), long and slender." Pliny has in part followed 

 Aristotle, but has introduced more details of tlie notions prevalent respect- 

 ing the bird among the ancients. 



With re.-ipect to the vocal powers of any species of halcyon, it is probable 

 that Pliny, and those he copied from, confounded it with the sedge bird, 

 with the dipper, or some other water songster, whose manner it is to sing 

 concealed ; while the halcyon, perched on some leafless twig overhanging 

 the water, being easily perceived, acquired credit for what she was inca- 

 pable of performing. It was supposed, by Belon, and perhaps correctly, 

 that the musical halcyon was the river nightingale, or reed thrush, which 

 is reported to be a pertinaceous songster, and creeps about amongst water- 

 plants in pursuit of insects ; but Belon is wrong in supposing it the only 

 river bird which sings. 



Wilson's description of the belted kingfisher, though differing in a 

 few points from the common halcyon of Eui'ope, comes much nearer the 

 reality than the fables of the old poets and naturalists. " Like the love-lorn 

 Bwains," says he, " of whom poets tell us, he delights in murmuring streams 

 and falling waters ; not, however, merely that they may soothe his ear, but 

 for a gratification somewhat more substantial. Amidst the roar of the 

 cataract or over the foam of a torrent, he sits perched upon an overhanging 

 bough, glancing his piercing eye ip every direction below for his scaly prey, 

 whi.'h with a sudden circular plunge he sweeps »ip from their native ele. 

 ment and swhUows in an instant. His voice, which is not unlike the twirl, 

 ing of a watchman's rattle, is naturally loud, harsh, and sudden ; but is 

 softened by the sound of the brawling streams and cascades among which he 

 generally rambles. He courses along the windings of the brook or river, al 

 .1 small height above the surface, sometimes suspending himself by the rapid 

 action of his wings like certain species of hawks, ready to pounce on the fry 

 below ; now and then settling on an old dead over-hanging limb to recon- 

 noitre. Mill-dams are particularly visited by this feathered fisher ; and the 

 Bound of his pipe is as well known to the miller, as the rattling of his owu 

 hopper." 



It is easy to be perceived how the kingfisher might be mistaken for a bird 

 of song. But the fancy of the halcyon's ruling the weather after the man- 

 ner assumed by the philosoiiher in the tale of Rasselas is so extravagant, 

 tiiat we cannot but smile at Montaigne, who seriously believes that " na- 

 ture has honoured no other animal so much during its sitting and disdoa. 



