TEXAS KINGFISHER. 
391. Ceryle americana septentrionalis. 8 inches. 
The adult male of this species has a rufous breast 
band, while the female has only a greenish one. 
The Texan Green Kingfisher is the smallest member 
of the family found within our borders. You will notice 
that all Ningfishers have the two outer toes on each foot 
joined together for about two-thirds of their length. This 
has been brought about through their habit of excavating 
in sand banks for nesting sites. It is quite probable that 
at some future distant period the three forward toes may 
be connected for their whole length, so as to give them 
a still more perfect shovel. 
Note.—A rattling cry, more shrill than that of the 
Belted Kingfisher. 
Nest.—1he four to six glossy white eges are laid on 
the sand at the end of a horizontal burrow in a bank, 
the end being enlarged into a chamber sufficiently large 
to allow the parent bird to turn about. 
Range.—Southwestern border of the United States, 
from southern Texas to Arizona. 
