NHD37/f.27

Stork-Billed Kingfisher

‘Halcyon capensis’

Original inscriptions: ‘Kings Fisher / Meen-Bikkaree Can: / Sangur 20th March 1806 / This Bird lives on Fish alone; it haunts the Lakes and Waters sitting on the branches of Trees watching, and when it sees a Fish, it instantly darts upon it, and snatches it off flying. The Legs are remarkably short and not equal to support the body; and is thus designed by Nature to obtain its food flying. The Head and Bill are nearly as large as the Body. Length from the Extremity of the Bill to that of the Tail 15 ½ Inches.’

‘The head is of a dark Umber Brown. The upper part of its Wings are Brown; the outer parts light Blue, tipped with black, the Tail Blue. The Back light Blue, mixed with some bright coloured small Feathers. The Belly and Neck of a Bright Straw Colour, mixed with Orange in the lower parts. The Beak: under part dark Red, the upper part, dark Brown. The legs of a Reddish Colour, approaching to Scarlet. The Foot separates into four Claws, with Black Nails.’

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Medium: Watercolour

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