ALCEDINIDiE. 



:93 



SVB-FAMILY III. 

 Alcedixix.e. The Kingfishers iwoper. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less long, straight, and slender, vritli the cuknen 

 sloping to the tip, which is acute, the sides much compressed, and the gouys 

 long and ascending. 



f 



X 







Fig. 121.— the coiiMox kingfisher. 

 (Alcedo Ispida.) 



The race of the true Kingfishers is distributed 

 over most parts of the world. They frequent the 

 banks of rivers^ and are usually seen perched solita- 

 rily upon a branch that overhangs the stream, or 

 flying near the surface of the water in quest of their 

 prey, which consists principally of fish. They may 

 sometimes be observed fluttering over the stream, 

 and then suddenly precipitating themselves upon 



