BELTED KINGFISHER. 



390. Ceryle alcyon. 13 inches. 



The male has the breast band and sides blue-gray, like 

 the back, while the female has chestnut-colored sides and 

 breast band in addition to a gray band. 



Kingfishers may be found about ponds, lakes, rivers, 

 the sea-side or small creeks; anywhere that small fish 

 may be obtained. Their food is entirely of fish that they 

 catch by diving for, from their perches on dead branches, 

 or by hovering over the water until the fish are in proper 

 positions and then plunging after them. 



Note. — A very loud, harsh rattle, easily heard half a 

 mile away on a clear, quiet day. 



Nest. — At the end of a two or three-foot tunnel in a 

 sand bank. The tunnel terminates in an enlarged 

 chamber where the five to eight glossy white eggs ( 1.35 x 

 1.05) are laid upon the sand. 



Range, — Whole of North America north to the Arctic 

 regions. Winters from southern United States south- 

 ward. 



