2 24 KINGFISHERS. 



FAMILY IV. 



THE KINGFISHERS. ALCEDINID.E.=i^ 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less len.c;thenecl, generally straight, broad 

 at the base, witii the tips of both niandililes 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, sometimes 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 consequentl}' these birds possess considerable powers of flight. 

 They all live upon animal substances ; some, like our common 

 kingfisher, capture fish with great dexterity, whilst many feed 

 upon insects or upon small reptiles. In other respects they ex- 

 hibit great variety of habit. 



To this family belong the Puff-Birds, the Crab-hunters, the true 

 Kingfishers, and the Jacamars. 



Sub-Family I. 



THE PUFF-BIRDS. BUCCONIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill of various lengths, elevated and broad at the base, 

 ■with the tip curved, and sometimes hooked over that of the lower mandible; nostrils 

 lateral, basal, and hidden by the frontal plumes and bristles ; wings more or less 

 long, with the third to the fifth quills usually the longest ; tail mostly of moderate 

 length ; tarsi short and robust, with the toes two before and two behind, and of 

 various lengths, the outer anterior toe the longest. 



These birds are found in the tropical parts of America ; they 

 appear to live solitary, pensive and silent, in the most retired parts 



* Alcedo (Latin), the hngfisha: 



