Kingfisher, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The medieval bestiary suggests the kingfisher brings up its young on the shore line and lay their eggs in the sand in midwinter when the sea is at its highest and wildest. As soon as the eggs are laid the sea will calm down and the wind will become a gentle breeze. The sea is calm when the eggs hatch and the mother will feed them for seven days. Sailors feel this little bird has a magic that will mean the weather will be calm for two weeks these weeks are known as Halycon days (Barber 2008).

Transcription

Translation

Altionis quoque nomen licet non repperiatur
in canone; vel in sacra scriptura. quia eius
natura moraliter nos instruit; de ea dicemus
aliqua. Altion igitur que romane dicitur mawe;
avis est maritima. que in littoribus fetus suos
edere solet. ita ut arenis ova sua deponat medio
fere hiemis. Nam id temporis fovendis habet depu-
tatum partibus; quando maxime insurgit mare.
et vehementior fluctus; litoribus illuditur. quo
magis repentine placiditatis solempnitate; avis

Although the name of Altionis is not to be found in the canon; or in sacred scripture, because its nature instructs us morally; we will say something about it. Altion, therefore, which in Roman is called mawe; It is a maritime bird, which usually feeds its young on the shores, so that it lays its eggs on the sand about the middle of winter. For this part of the time of fostering is assigned to the parties; when the sea rises most, and the waves are most violent; He is mocked by the shores, the more suddenly by the solemnity of the placidity;

60r

huius eluceat gratia. Nam undosum mare po-
sitis ovis; subito mitescit. et omnes cadunt
ventorum procelle. flatusque aurarum mitescunt.
ac placidum ventis; stat mare; donec ova fo-
veat hec avis. Diebus septem fovet ova sua.
quibus decursis; producit pullos. Adiungit ali-
os septem dies quibus nutrit eos et fovet donec
incipiant adolescere. Hos .xiiii. dies naute vo-
cant altionitas. quibus securi sunt de tranquil-
litate maris et temporis. Ecce qualiter hec
avis nos invitat. un non simus modice fidei sed
securi presumamus de bonitate dei. qui in se spe-
rantes liberat ab omni periculo. Qui si ha-
beamus fidem tanquam granum sinapis;
dicemus monti huic ut transferat se in mare
et transferet se. Quid igitur dubitatis modice fi-
dei; Multis passeribus et altionibus omnibus;
meliores estis vos. qui non irrationales estis
ut altiones; sed ad ymaginem dei creati. Alti-
on enim que irrationalis est; tempestates
videns insurgere. sevire ventos. fluctus contra
se mugire. secura de dei bonitate; timore non

let the grace of this bird shine. For laying sheep on the undulating sea; suddenly it abates, and all fall to the gales of the winds, and the blasts of the winds are abated, and the winds are calm; the sea stands; until the eggs are fostered by this bird. She nurtures her eggs for seven days, after which they run; produces chicks He adds another seven days during which he nourishes and cherishes them until they begin to grow. The sailors call these 13 days "altionitas", during which they are assured of the calmness of the sea and the weather. Behold, how this bird invites us, that we may not be of little faith, but be sure of the goodness of God, who delivers those who trust in him from all danger. If we have faith like a grain of mustard seed; we will tell this mountain to transfer itself into the sea and transfer itself. Why, then, do you doubt a little faith? With many sparrows and birds of prey; You are better, who are not irrational, like others; but they were created in the image of God. For otherwise that is irrational; seeing the storms rise, the winds howling, the waves roaring against them, secure in the goodness of God; it is not reflected by fear;

60v

reflectitur; sed inpellitur. et statim quiescunt
maria. et venti; quasi ad meritum fidei altio-
nis. Quanta igitur faciet homo ad dei ymanginem
creatus si fidem altionis habeat.

but he is driven, and immediately the seas and winds are stilled; as if for the merit of faith. How much, therefore, will a man, created in the image of God, do, if he has faith in God?