ALCYONE, or HALCYONE  , in Greek mythology, daughter of Aeolus and wife of Ceyx . For their presumption in calling themselves Zeus and Hera they were changed into birds—Alcyone into a diver, Ceyx into a kingfisher . According to another story, Ceyx was drowned and his body cast on the shore . His wife found the body, and the gods, out of compassion, changed both her and her husband into kingfishers . By command of Zeus (or Aeolus) the winds ceased to blow during their brooding-time, for seven days before and after the shortest day, that their eggs might not be carried away by the sea . Hence the expression " halcyon days," used in ancient and modern times to denote a period of calm and tranquillity . Apollonius Rhodius i . 1087 ; Ovid, Metam. xi . 410 et seq . ; Hyginus, Fabulae, 65 .