CHAPTER LXXYII. 



The Kingfisher. 



Alcedo Ispida, Lin. ; Le Martin peclieur, on -VAIcyon, Buf. 



Description and Character. — This is tlie most gorgeous and 

 beautiful of all the species of British birds, the diversity and 

 brilliancy of its plumage being simply magnificent, and when 

 viewed in a vivid sunlight quite dazzling to behold. The 

 shape of the bird is rather peculiar, but its contour is well 

 adapted to its habits. It is to be regretted that Kingfishers 

 are so diflScult to domesticate and keep in confinenient, as, 

 in the richness, diversification, and splendour of their plumage, 

 they equal many tropical birds. 



An adult specimen of this variety is 7in. in length. The 

 tail is short, and measures \^m. only; the breadth, from 

 tip to tip of the wings, is llin. ; and the weight, l^oz. The 

 bill is Ifin. long, straight, slightly compressed at the sides^ 

 and pointed. It is horn brown, bordering on black outside, 

 but the base of the lower mandible is yellow, and inside it 

 is orange, or bright saffron colour. The irides are reddish 

 brown. The top of the head (forming a lovely elliptical cap) 

 and wing coverts are of a rich refulgent deep green, the head 

 being spotted transversely with a bright luminous blue ; the 

 wing coverts are marked with oval spots of the same colour. 

 The shoulders, back, and rump, are adorned with lovely azure 

 blue. The tail, when closed, is very slightly convex in form, 

 in colour dark blue on the upper surface, and blackish blue 

 beneath. A broad orange stripe runs from the nostrils through 

 and below the eyes, across the cheeks, as far as the back part 



