2Q4 BRITISH BIRDS. 



black stroke, and terminated behind the auriculars 

 with a slanting wedge-shaped white spot. The 

 throat is white; the head and the wing coverts 

 are a deep shining green, spotted with bright 

 light blue; the scapulars and exterior webs of the 

 quills are of the same colour, but without spots. 

 The middle of the back, the rump, and coverts of 

 the tail are of a most resplendent azure : the tail, 

 which consists of twelve short feathers, is deep rich 

 blue, and the whole under part of the body, bright 

 orange. The legs and toes are red, and are pecu- 

 liar in their shape and conformation, the three 

 forward toes being unconnected from the claws 

 to the first joints, from whence they appear as if 

 grown into each other; and the inner and hinder 

 ones are placed in a line on the inside of the foot, 

 whereby the heel is widened, and seems pressed 

 out. 



Its habits and manner of living are wholly con- 

 fined to the fresh waters, on the margins of which 

 it will sit for hours together on a projecting twig, 

 or stone; at one while fluttering its wings, and 

 exposing its brilliant plumage to the sun; at 

 another, hovering in the air like the Kestrel, it 

 waits the moment when it may seize its prey, on 

 which it darts almost unerringly: often it remains 

 for several seconds under water, before it has 

 gained the object of its pursuit, then brings up the 

 little fish, which it carries to the land, beats to 

 death, and swallows. 



The female commonly makes her nest by the 

 sides of rivers or brooks, in a hole made by the 

 mole, or the water-rat; this she enlarges or con- 

 tracts to suit her purpose; and it is conjectured, 



