ALC'EDlNID.i:. 28] 



FAMILY IV. 



Alcedinid.e.* The Kiiigjiiilters. 



Gen. Charac— Bill more or less lengthened, generally straight, broad at the 

 base, with the tips of both mandibles usually acute ; the nostrils lateral ; 

 the wings more or less long and rounded ; the tail mostly short and rounded 

 at the sides ; the toes long, sometimes three before and one behind, some- 

 times two and two, and of various lengths. 



This family includes, not only the Kingfishers, 

 but other nearly allied forms, characterized by the 

 shape of the beak, which is elongated and generally 

 quite straight, stout, broad at the base, and sharp at 

 the point ; they are likewise remarkable for the small 

 size of the tail and the shortness of the tarsi. The 

 toes are variable both in number and arrangement ; 

 sometimes there are three in front and one behind, 

 as in birds in general, while in rare instances one 

 toe is altogether deficient, and the foot has only two 

 toes in front and one behind. The wings are long 

 and rounded, and consequently these birds possess 

 considerable powers of flight. They all live upon 

 animal substances ; some, like our common King- 

 fisher, capture fish with great dexterity, whilst many 

 feed upon insects or upon small reptiles. In other 

 respects they exhibit great variety of habit. 



To this family belong the Puff-birds, the Crab- 

 hunters, the true Kingfishers, and the Jacamars. 



* Alcedo (Lat.), the Kinyfislier. 



