THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



73 



Sexes similar or different ; young much like adults, 

 the sexual difference, if any, appearing at once ; 

 rarely a distinct young plumage. 

 Young. — Naked and fed by parents ; when the pen- 

 feathers are growing they present a remarkable 

 appearance, the feather-sheaths being like dull 

 silver. They run backwards more readily than 

 forwards. 

 Nest. — A hole in a bank or dead tree, often burrowed 



out by the birds themselves. 

 Eggs. — Several ; roundish, pure glossy white. 

 Incubation. — Two to three weeks. 

 Courtship. — The tail is raised and the wings slightly 

 drooped, in such species as I have been able to 

 watch (Alcedo ispida and Halcyon smyrnensis). 

 Food. — Small animals, some species diving for fish, 

 crustaceans, etc. ; while others feed on insects, 

 mice, snakes, etc., and others are both land and 

 water feeders. They throw up pellets composed 

 of the bones, scales, etc. Fruit has been seen to 

 be eaten in the case of two species. 

 Gait. — They seldom move about much, and most do 

 so by a waddling walk, though a few hop. Gene- 

 rally they remain for a long time on one perch. 

 They rise after a plunge by a violent flap of the 

 wings, and can swim in this way. 

 Flight.— Generally direct, light and jay-Uke in the 

 larger species ; swift and darting, with rapid action 

 of the wings, in the small ones. They not only 

 plunge in some cases for their food, but bathe by 

 plunging. 

 Disposition and Habits.— They seem not very in- 

 telligent, owing doubtless to their uniform and 

 lazy way of Hfe, which is mostly passed in waiting 

 for prey to appear. They are usually pugnacious 

 and live solitary. 

 Note. — A piping sound, or a cackle, often very harsh ; 



