CHAP.V.] HALCYON'S NEST. 299 



ness of our Kingfisher, accompanied by a reduced repre- 

 sentation of some water-weed, which, contrary to his 

 usual custom, he has omitted to specify by name, though 

 in other places he makes up for the omission by adding 

 an insect or a fish, as well as a botanical fragment. As 

 Claude Lorraine used to sell his landscapes, and give the 

 figures into the bargain, so Aldrovandi appends to his 

 birds a little bit of plant by way of make weight. Thus 

 we have " ' Grus cum Geranio Cretico.' The Crane, with 

 the Cretan Geranium. ' Anser quadrupes alius cum al- 

 tha3a palustri.' Another four-footed (monstrous) Goose, 

 with the Marsh-mallow. * Anser ferus Ferraria missus 

 cum nymphsea lutea majori.' A wild Goose sent from 

 Ferrara, with the greater yellow water-lily." Sometimes 

 he is extra liberal, as when he gives " ' Ardese cinereaB 

 tertium genus cum persicaria, et cochlea.' A third sort 

 of Ashy Heron, with the Persicaria and the Cockle." 

 Other writers tell us that the nest of the Halcyon, 

 namely, the one which floats on the surface of the sea 

 during its prescribed period of calmness, is " very like 

 a sponge." Aldrovandi gives a large figure from which 

 it is clear that it must have been a sponge. Ancient 

 authors are profuse in their admiration of the skill which 

 the bird exerts in manufacturing this spongy ark, and 

 are in some confusion about the fish-bones, which they 

 suppose to be used as needles on the occasion. The 

 musical talent of the Nightingale, the conjugal affection 

 of the Dove, do not, in their way, surpass the industry 

 of the Kingfisher. That such a bird should disgrace it- 

 self by yielding to the weakness of dying of love ! 



But without reference to these marvels, the King- 

 fisher is really an interesting bird, from its habits and 

 its beauty, both of which are sure to attract attention. 



