256 



THE REASON WHY : 



&quot; That a kingfishtr hanged by the bill sheweth in what 

 quarter the wind is, by an occult and secret propriety, con 

 verting the breast to that point of the hori/on from whence 

 the wind doth blow, is a received opinion, and very strange.&quot; 

 BROWN S VULGAR ERRORS. 



Sub-order V. Syndactili. 



788. Why are the birds of this group called syndactili f 



From two Greek words meaning and toe, in allusion to their 

 having the external toe nearly as long as the middle one, and 

 united to it, as far as the second joint. Syndactylic means 

 having the toes together. 



789. The bills of syndactalous birds differ considerably in their forms, because 

 their food differs in kind ; and this difference probably led Cuvier to name this 

 division after the structure of the feet, and not that of the bills. 



790. What are, the peculiar examples of adaptation in the 

 structure of kingjishers ? 



It is furnished with a long sharp bill, admirably adapted for 

 transfixing fish, as with a spear ; and the plumage is remarkably 

 smooth, and adapted to resist the action of water. 



791. When watching for its prey, the kingfisher perches itself upon some over 

 hanging branch, with its long, 

 dagger-like bill pointed downwards, 

 and its eye intent upon the water 

 beneath. Suddenly, it darts down 

 wards, plunges headlong into the 

 watei-, and speedily re-appears with 

 a minnow or other small fish 

 between its mandibles. Without 

 loosing its hold, it passes the fish 

 through its bill until it is fairly 

 j grasped by the tail, and then de 

 stroys the life of its victim by 

 smartly striking its head three or 

 four times against a branch, aftei 

 which it gulps its prey at one 

 mouthful, except when it is borm 

 away to the nest for the supply of 

 the young. 



