224 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



ALCEDINID^E. , * 



BELTED KINGFISHER. Ceryle alcyon, (Linne) Eoie. 



CUCULID.E. 



YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus americanus, (Linne) Bonaparte 

 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus erytliroplithalinus, (Wils.) Baird 



ORDER PSITTACI. PARROTS. 



Brilliantly colored birds, with extremely thick bills, strongly hooked 

 tongues short and fleshy (.Jordan). The outer toe of the foot reversed, so 

 that two toes are opposed to two (zygodactyle). 



Well-known birds, much admired for their gorgeous plumage, and for 

 the quaint efforts at speech which some can be trained to put forth. 

 Inhabitants of tropical countries. Not well represented in North Amer- 

 ica, but abundant in South America. 



PSITTACID.E. 

 CAROLINA PARAKEET.* Conurus carolinensis, (Linne) Kuhl. 



ORDER RAPTORES. BIRDS OF PREY. 



Large and powerful carnivorous birds, with strong beaks and sharp 

 claws. Four toes, the fourth sometimes versatile. Legs frequently 

 feathered to the ankle. Tail feathers, twelve ; primaries, ten. 



Found in every part of the world. The order includes some of the 

 strongest flying birds. Many are obnoxious to the poultry keeper 

 (hawks), while others (buzzards) are of great service in removing carrion. 



STRIGID.E. 



?BARN OWL. Aluco flammeus americanus, (And.) Ridgway. 

 LONG-EARED OAVL, Asio americanus, (Steph.) Sharpe. 

 SHORT-EARED OWL Asio accipitrinus, (Pallas) Newton. 



■"■Extinct in South Carolina — G. E. M. 



