Malachite kingfisher Malachite kingfisher The malachite kingfisher ("Corythornis cristatus") is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate-related movements. The malachite kingfisher was described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and given the binomial name "Alcedo cristata". The specific epithet "cristata" is from the Latin "cristatus" meaning "crested" or "plumed". The adjective "malachite" in the vernacular name normally refers to the dark green colour of the copper containing mineral. This kingfisher has blue upperparts but has black banding with pale blue or greenish-blue on its forehead.
The Malachite Box the Urals. The first short version of the essay, included in the 1939 book, was titled "The Watchhouse on Dumna Mountain". In 1940 the author expanded it and renamed to "By the Old Mine" (). This version was first published in the 3rd volume of the "Uralsky Sovremennik" almanac (1940). Starting with the 3rd edition of "The Malachite Box", this essay was published in all subsequent editions. The author included the essay in every "The Malachite Box" edition for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the unique culture of the Ural region. "Beloved Name" (alternative translation: That Dear Name)