COMMON KINGFISHER.
ALCEDO ISPIDA, Linn.
Alcedo ispida, Linn. S. N. i. p. 179 (1766) ; Naum. v. p. 480;
Macg. iii. p. 671 ; Hewitson, i. p. 255 ; Yarr. ed. 4, ii.
p. 443; Dresser, v. p. 113.
Martin Pêcheur, French ; Gemeine Eisvogel, German ;
Martin pescador, Spanish.
This very beautiful species is well known throughout
our islands, and would be exceedingly common in many
districts were it not for the brutal persecution it meets
with for the sake of its feathers, for the personal adornment
(?) of ladies, and for the making of artificial flies.
I most heartily wish that any words of mine could bring
any of my fair readers to use their utmost efforts to
discountenance the wearing of any feathers, except those
of the Game Birds and Wildfowl to be met with in
abundance, great variety, and beauty in the game-
dealers’ shops during the season.
