ORDER COCCYGES 



SUBORDER ALCYONES 



Family Alcedinidse 



Belted Kingfisher. — Ceryle alcyon. 13.00 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Broad bluish-gray band across breast, separating 

 white throat and belly ; upper parts bluish-gray ; bill long ; 

 tail short; crown feathers long and often erected into a 

 pronounced crest; only notes a harsh rattle, usually 

 uttered on the wing. 



The harsh rattle of the Kingfisher is heard along the 

 Hudson River and all the inland ponds and streams throughout 

 this section; in fact, the species appears to be more common 

 hereabouts than in any other portions of the State, or 

 New England, where I have wandered. There is no 

 mistaking him for any other bird. The long wings and beak, 

 the white-banded, bluish-gray plumage, short tail, and erect 

 feathers of the head are distinguishing features. Perched on 

 a limb or stump, over or alongside the water, the handsome 

 Fisher will remain almost motionless for some time, and then, 

 discovering a finny tid-bit near the surface, he will suddenly 

 dart down, seize the fish in his beak, fly away to another 



