P Yaa 1) @, 
winter, and during that period the mariner might fail in full fecu- 
rity, for which reafon they were ftyled Halcyon days*. Among the 
moderns, its flefh has been thought unperifhable, and capable of 
preferving woollen and other veftments from decay ; and it has alfo 
been fuppofed to turn its breaft to the north when hung up dead. 
Specimens of this bird are brought from almoft every part of the 
world: in England it is not uncommon: it frequents the fides of 
running ftreams, and takes its prey, which confifts entirely of fifh, 
by darting on it in the water. It makes no neft, but lays feven or 
more, beautiful tranfparent white eggs, in a large hole in the bank 
of a river or ftream. 
* Pennant. 
INDEX — 
