ORDER SEVENTH. 



HALCYONS. (Alcyones. Temm.) 



Thr bill usually long, sharp-pointed, almost quadrangu- 

 lar, and slightly curved or straight. Feet very short ; the 

 tarsus reticulated ; the middle toe united with the outer, 

 commonly to the second joint, and with the inner toe to 

 the first articulation. Female and young usually almost 

 similar to the adult ; the moult annual. 



These birds reside near waters ; fly swiftly ; perch on 

 trees or rocks, but seldom descend to the ground, the feet 

 being too short either for walking or leaping. They 

 subsist on insects, which they take while on the wing ; or 

 on fishes, seizing them as they approach the surface 

 of the water. They breed in holes burrowed in the fria- 

 ble banks of streams ; and the eggs are numerous. The 

 voice is harsh and monotonous ; and they are at all times 

 shy, and are tamed with difficulty. 



KING-FISHERS. (Alcedo. Lin.) 



In these the bill is long, robust, straight and quadrangular, com- 

 pressed and acute, rarely somewhat curved at the point. Nostrils 

 basal, lateral, oblique, almost wholly closed by a naked membrane. 

 Tongue very short and fleshy. Feet short and robust, tarsus shorter 

 than the middle toe, which is nearly equal to the outer ; inner toe 

 rarely wanting, hind toe wide at the base ; nail of the hind toe 

 smallest. Wings rather short, 1st and 2d primaries a little shorter 

 than the third, which is longest. 

 50* 



