450 
KINGFISHER. 
die of the back, with the upper surface of the tail, 
is of a brilliant light blue, which in the sun has the 
play of sapphire, and the lustre of turquois stone ; 
green is mixed on the wings with blue, and most 
of the feathers are terminated and dotted with the 
tints of beryl ; the head and the upper side of the 
neck are dotted in the same manner, with lighter 
specks on an azure ground. 
The count de Buffon, whose descriptions are al- 
ways elegant, and to whom we are chiefly indebted 
for this account, says, It would seem that the 
kingfisher has strayed from those climates where the 
sun pours incessant torrents of the purest light, and 
sheds all the treasures of the richest colours. And 
though our species belongs not precisely to the 
countries of the east and south, yet the whole ge- 
nus of these charming birds inhabit those genial 
regions. This bird, though it derives its origin from 
the hottest climates, is reconciled to the rigour of 
our seasons. It is seen in the winter along the 
brooks, diving under the ice and emerging with its 
fishy prey. 
Its flight is rapid, and it usually traces the wind- 
ings of the rivulets, screaming w hile on the wing 
with a shrill voice, that makes the banks resound. 
It is very shy, and escapes to some retired spot, 
where it sits on a branch projecting over the stream, 
and often remains motionless for whole hours, to 
catch the moment when a little fish springs above 
the surface. It then dives perpendicularly into the 
water, where it continues several seconds, and then 
