In classical legends, a bird said to nest on the sea, thereby calming the waters; later usually identified with a type of kingfisher, hence puhekieltä a kingfisher.
(RQ:Flr Mntgn Essay), II.12:
the Halcyon bird, or as some call it Alcedo or Kings-fisher, exceeds all mens conceit.(..)Gods decree hath been, that all the watrie wildernesse should be quiet and made calme, without raine, wind, or tempest, during the time the Halcyon sitteth and bringeth forth her young-ones(nb..).
1665, (w), (w), IV iv 132:
Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be / As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.
And, by the way, during those halcyon days (the halcyon was there, too, chattering above every creek, as he is all over the world) we fought another battle.
(rfdate)(w)
A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher (w) of Australia.