458 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
banks, or in the soft rocks, in which it hollows out a dwelling by 
means of its bill and feet. 
The King-fishers (Adcedo), the Martin-fishers of some authors, form 
a highly interesting group, of which Adcedo ispida (Fig. 181) is the 
only known species indigenous to Britain. M. Vigors finds an 
intimate resemblance between them and the Todies. ‘The King- 
fishers are very singular birds. ‘Their bill is strong, straight, and 
angular, being of immense length compared with their size ; the tip 
Fig. 181.—King-fishers. 
of both mandibles acute ; the commissure perfectly straight ; the head 
strong and elongated ; wings and tail of moderate size; tarsi short, 
and placed far back. Those found in Great Britain have behind 
each eye a patch of light orange brown, succeeded by a white 
marking ; from each corner of the mandible proceeds a line of rich 
blue, tinged with green; the crown of the head is deep olive green; 
the feathers are tipped with a verdigris shade; chin and throat with 
yellowish white ; breast, belly, and vent with orange brown; tail a 
bluish green; shafts of the feathers black; and the legs a pale brick 
red. This beautiful bird is as interesting in manners as in appearance. 
Living on the banks of rivers they feed almost exclusively on fish, 
watching patiently from a fixed station, generally a naked twig 
