THE KINGFISHER. 107 



is deprived of life, and swallowed entire. Again it hovers and 

 watches unsuccessfully, until it alights on the bough of yon 

 bending willow. The tall and graceful blossoms of the vestal 

 lily wave in accordance with the sultry breeze ; the banks 

 are covered with emerald moss, through which tufts of the 

 blue forget-me-not stand conspicuous ; u pale, unmarried prim- 

 roses," oxlips, and the foxglove, unite in embellishing the 

 margin of the stream ; dragon -flies of many hues play over 

 the sunlit surface ; afar the note of the cuckoo sounds plain- 

 tively through the glen ; but yet is the kingfisher motionless, 

 alike heedless of the splashing of the dusky water-hen, 

 or the cries of her duskier young ; a cloud of ephemera 

 dance their intricate medley over the centre of the pool, oc- 

 casionally falling a prey to the droves of minnow below, and 

 gradually approaching the kingfisher, the sportive fish leap 

 gleefully after the retiring insects, a sudden plunge, a flash 

 of sunshine on its plumage, as, disappearing for an instant, it 

 again emerges with its prey. 



Towards the approach of spring the kingfisher prepares for 

 the important task of incubation, and for that purpose gene- 

 rally selects the unoccupied burrow of a water-rat, the bottom 

 of which is usually found strewed with pellets of small fish- 

 bones, probably ejected by the bird. The eggs are five or seven 

 in number, round in form, and of a most beautiful transparent 

 white. Before the young are fledged, the nest is often liable 

 to detection in consequence of the fetid odour proceeding 

 from it. 



Indeed, it appears strange how this bird maintains its num- 

 bers, selecting as it does such a breeding place, without pro- 

 tection, and liable to the nocturnal visits of the water-rat, 

 and the lithe and implacable enemy of both, the stoat. The 

 note of this bird we have never heard ; it is said to be shrill 

 and piercing. The flight is also extremely rapid. 



The ancients regarded the kingfisher with pleasure and 

 gratitude, as they believed that, as long as the female sat on 

 the eggs, no storm or tempest disturbed the face of the ocean. 



" As firm as the rock, and as calm as the flood, 

 Where the peace-loving halcyon deposits her brood." 



Long ago, in the studios of those of the occult science who 

 had an u alligator stuffed," the halcyon was hung up with a 

 thread, and allowed the highest place. The skin was believed 

 to turn its bill to whatever point the wind blew from ; arid we 

 believe it is Shakspere who makes use of it in that sense : 



" Disown, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks 

 With every gale and vary of their masters." 



