81 
COMMON KINGFISHER. 
Alcedo, Ispida. 
In allowing the kingfisher a place among my lovely 
songsters, I am actuated entirely by a wish to oblige 
a kind friend, who, having heard of my intended 
publication, took the trouble of going many miles 
to procure one, supposing that, from the beauty of 
its plumage, it would be an acquisition to me. My 
plans were already formed, the subjects selected, 
their portraits taken, when this unlucky bird made 
his appearance. I had, therefore, only to choose 
between two evils ; either to offend my friend, who, 
unknown to me, had taken so much trouble, or to 
substitute his bird for the one intended. 
Now, as I dearly love to oblige a friend, (especially 
if it do not materially interfere with my own conve- 
nience,) his kingfisher was substituted, and the ori- 
ginal bird withdrawn, and placed again in the port- 
folio, to make his appearance on a future day. 
This bird, formerly so celebrated by the ancients, 
