48 THE KINGFISHER, OR HALCYON. 



ice, and was much hurt. In consequence of this accident, the 

 jay was complained of as a nuisance, and its owner was com- 

 pelled to destroy it. 



This bird, as well as the magpie, being extensively diffused, 

 admits of a number of varieties. The Chinese jay is of two dif- 

 ferent species, one of which is distinguished by its red bill, the 

 other by its blue tail; and both of them are very beautiful. The 

 Peruvian jay is of a light green, which, by insensible shades, as- 

 sumes a bluish cast in different parts of its body. To these 

 might be added the Canadian and the Siberian jay, and the yel- 

 low-billed jay of Cayenne : the roller also may, without impro- 

 priety, be included in this class. This last may also be divided 

 into the Garrulous, the Chinese, the Cayenne, and the Abyssinian 

 roller ; all of them distinguished by the brilliancy of their plu- 

 mage. Several others might be added which naturalists have 

 enumerated, and perhaps still more with which they are unac- 

 OjUainted. It is impossible to follow Nature through all her va- 

 rieties, which in every species of animal life, oroclaims the plastic 

 hand of Nature's God. 



THE KINGFISHER, OR HALCYON, 



Is well known in England, and is one of the most beautiful 

 birds of these northern climates. It is not much larger than a 

 swallow : its legs are, according to our superficial notions of 

 elegance, too small, and its beak too long, in proportion to its 

 body ; but both are perfectly adapted to its mode of living and 

 procuring its food. The brilliant colours of its plumage, how- 

 ever, are sufficient, even in our partial estimation, to atone for 

 whatever caprice may deem inelegant in its form. The crown 

 of the head, and the outside of (he wings, are of a deep blackish 

 green, with bright azure spots ; the back and the tail are of the 

 most resplendent azure : the under part of the body is orange- 

 coloured ; and a broad mark of the same, passing from the bill, 

 reaches beyond the eyes. In viewing the beautiful plumage, the 

 slender legs, and diminutive size of this bird, it would scarcely 

 oe supposed to be one of the most rapacious little creatures that 

 Nature produces. This, however, is in reality the case. It is 

 almost continually on the wing, hovering over the rivers and 

 lakes, where it catches small fishes in surprising quantities, by 

 darting down upon them with inevitable certainty. While it 

 remains suspended in the air in a sunshiny day, its plumage 

 exhibits a beautiful variety of the most dazzling colours. 



The ancient naturalists have related a number of fables con- 

 cerning the kingfisher, and so do the modern vulgar ; none of 

 which are worth repeating. Of this bird, there are not less 

 <han thirty-six varieties. 



