Alcedo atthis, Kingfisher
This stamp was issued by the Royal Mail in a 4 stamp series to celebrate
THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS.
Of this series I only have this one stamp which was kindly given to me by my friend L.
When we took the boat trip down the River Evros we caught flashes of this bird but it was too quick to take a snap. We did see a damaged Kingfisher in a cage at the bird hospital on Aegina but no photo.
However, I did find a list of animals and flowers depicted on the wrought iron gates of the Globe Theater which includes a Kingfisher
The reference to Kingfishers is from King Lear act ii scene ii
“That in the natures of their lords rebel;
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters,
Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.
A plague upon your epileptic visage!
Smoile you my speeches, as I were a Fool?”
It was believed that the Halcyon, Kingfisher if hung by the tail or beak would turn with the wind.
Now that is something I didn’t know.
Cali Doxiadis writes about the Kingfisher in her letter ‘From the President: HALCYON DAYS ‘,
THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 48, April 2007.
There is also a drawing by Derek Toms
The kingfisher, Alcedo atthis – its floating nest is mythical