A474 ALCEDINID2. 
it was only observed in the winter season. These southern birds, therefore, are 
probably those that visit the far north in the breeding-season. 
We never met with a nest in Central America; but in the States, according to 
Brewer 21, the nest is made in an excavation in the bank of a pool or stream, but not 
necessarily in the immediate vicinity of water. The hole or tunnel excavated by the 
bird varies from 4 to 15 feet in length, and is enlarged at the end, where six or some- 
times seven glossy white eggs are laid. 
In its delicate grey back this species agrees with C. ¢torquata and differs from the 
other Central-American Kingfishers; but in the coloration of the sexes the difference 
between the two species is marked. ‘The male of C. alcyon is devoid of chestnut colour 
on the under surface, whereas in C. torguata this colour is more pronounced in the 
male than in the opposite sex. 
2. Ceryle torquata. 
Alcedo torquata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 180 (1766) *; Licht. Preis-Verz. mex. Vog. p. 1 (cf. J. f. 
Orn. 1863, p. 55) *. 
Ceryle torquata, Bp. P. Z. S. 1837, p. 108°; Scl. P.Z.S. 1857, p. 202*; Moore, Ibis, 1859, p. 53°; 
Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 181°; PZ. S. 1864, p. 363"; 1867, p. 280°; 1870, p. 837°; 
Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1860, p. 183"; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N.Y. vi. p. 290"; Mem. Bost. Soc. 
N. H. ii. p. 289%; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 30%; v. Frantzius, J. f. Orn. 1869, | 
p. 311"; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. p. 73, t. 22°; Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xvii. p. 121“; Sumi- 
chrast, La Nat. v. p. 239°"; Nutting, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. v. p. 399"; vi. pp. 375 °, 387, 
394”; Ferrari-Perez, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. ix. p. 160”; Ridgw. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. x. 
p- 591”; Zeledon, An. Mus. Nac. Costa Rica, 1887, p. 119”; Richmond, Pr. U. S. Nat. 
Mus. xvi. p. 510”. 
Streptoceryle torquata, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1862, p. 161”. 
Supra schistacea, plumis singulis rhachidibus nigris, capite cristata; capitis lateribus, alis extus et pectoris 
lateribus dorso concoloribus ; macula infra oculos, altera supra lora, gula et torque cervicali albis ; abdomine 
toto lete castaneo, hypochondriis et axillaribus concoloribus, subalaribus albis, remigibus in pogonio 
interno maculis albis ad marginem concurrentibus albis, tectricibus subcaudalibus albis schistaceo varie- 
gatis (interdum pure albis); cauda nigra, extrorsum schistacea, pogoniis ambobus regulariter albo 
maculatis ; rostro nigro ad basin rufescente; pedibus flavescenti-fuscis. Long. tota circa 16-0, alee 7-5, 
caudee 4:5, rostri a rictu 4°0, tarsi 0-6. (Descr. maris ex Lion Hill, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 
Q mari similis, torque pectorali schistacea, subalaribus et tectricibus subcaudalibus omnino castaneis, abdomine 
concoloribus. : 
Hab. Mexico, Rio Grande, Nuevo Leon (f. B. Armstrong), Tampico (W. B. Richardson), 
Real del Monte (Mus. Lrit.), Jalapa (Sallé*), Paso de la Milpa??, Vega de Alatorre 2”, 
Santa Ana, Rio Rancho Nuevo (ferrari-Perez), Mazatlan (Grayson }2), Presidio de 
Mazatlan (forrer), San Blas (W. B. Richardson), Tonala, Chihuitan 1%, Santa 
Efigenia ® (Sumichrast), 'Teapa (Mrs. H. H. Smith); British Honpuras, Belize 
river (O. S.), Cayo in the western district (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALA, Rio Dulce 
(0. S.°), Lanquin, Choctum, Huamuchal, San José de Guatemala (0. S.& &. D. G.), 
Peten (Leyland®); Honpuras, Omoa (Leyland ®), San Pedro (G. WU. Whitely °), 
