456 ALCEDINID.E. 



parts generally, white, with a broad bluish-grey pectoral 

 belt, and the sides of the body of the same : legs and toes 

 orange -brown ; claws black. 



The whole length varies from nearly thirteen to nearly 

 fifteen inches ; the ridge of the bill measuring about two 

 inches ; and from the carpal joint to the tip of the wing six 

 inches. 



In the female the pectoral belt is mixed with reddish- 

 brown ; the sides of the body are deep chestnut which often 

 unites to form a second broad belt of that colour about 

 three-quarters of an inch below the first. 



The present is not, as has been often asserted, the only 

 species of Kingfisher found in North America, since Ceryle 

 cabanisi, which some authors regard as being but the 

 northern race of the widely-spread C. americana, occurs in 

 Texas and perhaps in Florida. This beautiful Family of 

 birds is the subject of a very fine ' Monograph ' by Mr. 

 Sharpe, admirably illustrated by Mr. Keulemans, which only 

 needs Dr. Murie's promised chapter on their anatomy for its 

 completion, when it will be rendered one of the most perfect 

 works of the kind that has ever appeared. 



Nitzsch observed that it seems to be a character of this 

 Family of birds, shared with them, so far as is known, only 

 by the Woodpeckers, that the nestlings are never clothed 

 with down, but are perfectly naked until the permanent 

 feathers make their appearance ; from what, however, has 

 been stated above (page 427), the Hoopoes appear to possess 

 the same character. 



The vignette represents the sternum of the common King- 

 fisher. 



