488 KINGFISHER 
Ceyx, the second digit is aborted, and the birds have but three toes. 
In most forms the bill does not differ much from that of the 
common Alcedo ispida, but in Syma its edges are serrated, while in 
Carcineutes, Dacelo, and Melidora the maxilla is prolonged, becoming 
in the last a very pronounced hook. Generally the wings are short 
and rounded, and the tail is in many forms inconspicuous ; but in 
Tanysiptera, one of the most beautiful groups, the middle pair of 
feathers is greatly elongated and spatulate, while this genus 
possesses only ten rectrices, all the rest having twelve. Sundevall 
relies on a character not noticed by Dr. Sharpe, and makes its 
principal divisions depend on the size of the scapulars, which in 
one form a mantle, and in the other are so small as not to cover 
the back. The Alcedinidx are a cosmopolitan Family, but only one 
genus, Ceryle, is found in America, and that extends as well over a 
great part of the Old World, though not into the Australian Region, 
which affords by far the greater number both of genera and species, 
having no fewer than 10 of the former and 59 of the latter peculiar 
to it.? - 
In habits Kingfishers display considerable diversity, though all, 
it would seem, have it in common to sit at times motionless on the 
watch for their prey, and on its appearance to dart upon it, seize it 
as they fly or dive, and return to a perch where it may be con- 
veniently swallowed. But some species, and especially that which 
is the type of the Family, are not always content to await at rest 
their victim’s showing itself. They will hover like a Hawk over 
the waters that conceal it, and, in the manner already described, 
precipitate themselves upon it. This is particularly the way with 
those that are fishers in fact as well as in name; but no incon- 
siderable number live almost entirely in forests, feeding on insects, 
while reptiles furnish the chief sustenance of others. The last is 
characteristic of at least one Australian form, which manages to 
thrive in the driest districts of that country, where not a drop of 
water is to be found for miles, and the air is at times heated to a 
degree that is insupportable by most animals. The limits of this 
article forbid an entrance upon details of much interest, but the 
Belted Kingfisher of North America, Ceryle alcyon, is too character- 
istic a bird of that country to be passed in silence, though its habits 
greatly resemble those of the European species before described ; 
and the so-called “ Laughing Jackass” of New South Wales and 
South Australia, Dacelo gigas—with its kindred forms, D. leachi, D. 
cervina, and D. occidentalis, from other parts of the country—like- 
wise requires special notice. Attention must also be called to the 
speculations of Dr. Sharpe (op. cit. pp. xliv.-xlvii.) on the genetic 
affinity of the various forms of Alcedinidx, and it is to be regretted 
that hitherto no light has been shed by paleontologists on this 
1 Of. Wallace, Geogr. Distr. Animals, il. p. 315. 
