ALCEDO ISPIDA, Unn 
King-fisher. 
Alcedo Ispida, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 179, 
As the blue of the Turquoise forms a pleasing contrast among minerals, and the drooping blue-bell Imparts 
colour to our shady woods, so is the Kingfisher conspicuous for its brilliancy among our native bii*ds. Still, 
with all its beauty, it is by no means the finest of its family ; for in those countries where nature is more 
lavish of her gifts, other and still lovelier species exist. The great group of birds to which it belongs are 
so varied that they are naturally divisible into many distinct genera ; they are, moreover, so widely dispersed 
that not only each of the great continents of the globe, but all or nearly all the islands are also tenanted by 
Kingfishers, as these birds are generally called. This familiar term, however, is a most inappropriate one, 
inasmuch as but few of them take fish, or live in the vicinity of water, — some of the species even being 
found on the hot scorim of volcanic mountains, such as occur in the Island of Ascension ; and I believe none 
of them ever drink. Our bird and its allies, for which the generic name of Alcedo has been retained, and 
the members of the genus Ceyx are the most truly aquatic of the entire family ; for they frequent 
exclusively the neighbourhood of brooks and rivers, and feed principally on fish, aquatic insects, and 
diminutive Crustaceans. 
A sight of the Kingfisher on its native waters, transient though the view may be, is necessary before a 
just conception of its beauty can be formed ; for the specimens generally seen in our museums, or as an 
ornament in our drawing-rooms, convey but a sorry idea of the loveliness of the living bird. By natui-e shy, 
and in habits solitary, few but naturalists or anglers have had an opportunity of noticing the speck of glancing 
blue which with arrow-like swiftness descends the gloomy beck or overtops the gushing waterfall, or the red 
gleam which shines forth from the stranded snag in the river or the post standing upright in the stream ; 
and none but those who are familiar with the actions and habits of our native birds are aware that the 
diminutive object hanging over the river on quivering wings is the Kingfisher, poising itself above a little 
fish, on which it presently darts with unerring aim. The observer of nature sees the stoop, if he awaits the 
rising, and can follow with his eye the flash of blue which skims away like a brilliant beetle ; he will perceive 
it suddenly stop on a stone or dead limb of a tree, near the water’s edge, and, if near enough, may see the 
minnow, the glistening bleak, or young trout beaten to death before it is either swallowed or carried to the 
clamorous and expectant brood which are being reared on a shelving bank near at hand, or on the side of a 
pit in the neighbouring wood. In England the Kingfisher occurs in every district where there is water : 
even the smallest streamlet will attract it; and thus the clear swift-flowing Wandle, the murky Brent, the 
Colne, and the Kennett are all enlivened with its presence. Old Father Tliames, however, feeds more 
Kingfishers than any of his tributaries ; and on that beautiful river, particularly from Windsor to Henley, it 
is sufficiently abundant to admit of every one gratifying his wish who may be desirous of seeing the bird 
in a state of nature. That its numbers would be far greater, and that every mile would be enlivened with 
its passing flight and shrill note, there is not the slightest doubt, could the destructive hand of the collector 
be stayed ; for then our queen of rivers and its beautiful woods and meads would form a sanctuary wberein 
the bird might remain free from molestation. In Scotland, although it may be observed in every county, 
it is more scarce than with us ; in Ireland it is occasionally met with in suitable localities throughout the 
island, but is nowhere numerous. 
For the following interesting note on the occurrence of the Kingfisher in Argyleshire I am indebted to 
the kindness of the Duke of Argyll : — 
“ This bird visits Argyleshire only occasionally, at distant intervals, and, so far as I have observed, never 
remains long. I attribute this entirely to one circumstance, viz. the absence in the ra])id streams of our 
country of the numerous species of fish common in English rivers, and which constitute the chief food of the 
Kingfisher. The bleak, the dace, the roach, the minnow, and others whose fry swim in the shallow's, or 
near the surface in lowland rivers, are entirely wanting in Argyleshire. We have nothing but the various 
species of Salmomdce ; and their fry conceal themselves so well among the stones and rocks of the rapid 
waters in which they are produced, that they must afford a very scanty supply to such methods of capture 
as those practised by the Kingfisher. 
“ Two years ago a Kingfisher staid some weeks at Inverary, and frequented partly a lake of brackish 
water, which is well supplied both with trout and marine fish. The last time I observed the bird, it was 
sitting on a bunch of seaweed ; and the brilliancy of its colouring, set off by so dark a background, attracted 
the eye from a great distance. I have never observed it except in autumn.” 
