106 



Stephen's-green. The stomach contained the remains of 

 large beetles closely adhering together. 



Beautiful as the roller is, its gay colours afford it no pro- 

 tection against the gourmand, as it is frequently observed in 

 the public markets at Malta and Sicily. 



Habitat Southern Europe. 



FAMILY XX ALCEDINJE (KINGFISHERS). 



GENUS LIV. ALCEDO (KINGFISHER). 



SPECIES 105 THE KINGFISHER. 



Alcedo ispida. Linn. 

 Martin pecheur pie. Temm. 



THE KINGFISHER is generally allowed to rank as the most 

 beautiful of our native birds, yielding to none of the bright 

 species of the tropics for brilliancy of plumage, but yet, in like 

 manner with the bird of paradise, it is strangely deficient in 

 elegance of form, as the bill is long and thick, the neck short, 

 the feet very small, and the body disproportionately large. 

 It is also a permanent resident with us, and in some situations 

 occurs in considerable numbers, although in no localities in 

 actual abundance. 



Seldom met with in the vicinity of large rivers, it is 

 in some retired, well -sheltered glen the lovely halcyon is 

 most frequently found : there we may observe it during all 

 seasons in the bright sunshine of the summer passing us, 

 with its rainbow hue, like a meteor; in the dreariness of winter 

 perched on a decayed bough, watching intently over the half- 

 frozen pool, its bright plumage contrasting as in mockery with 

 the cold and cheerless prospect of the surrounding snows. 

 The food of this bird consists of small fishes, principally min- 

 now and fry ; indeed, in some localities they have been banished 

 on account of their injury to trout fry, but we can only say, 

 the proprietor must be narrow -hearted indeed to resent an 

 injury which, in most instances, is more fancied than real. 



Few have observed this bird in a state of nature without 

 bestowing on it their unqualified admiration, so very beau- 

 tiful are its movements when in pursuit of prey: hovering 

 slowly, it proceeds at a short distance from the water until its 

 attention becomes arrested by the movements of the silvery 

 gleaming minnow, then, quick as thought, before we have 

 time to calculate the plunge, the kingfisher emerges with its 

 prey held firmly in its beak ; alighting on a stone, the minnow 



