136 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



young are bare when hatched and long cared for in the nest like those of 

 perching birds. 



In economic value, kingfishers can not compare with the cuckoos, 

 to which they are somewhat related. They destroy a few aquatic insects 

 which are unquestionably injurious in habits, like the water tiger or larvae 

 of the Dytiscus and the larvae of other carnivorous insects, which do injury 

 to the young of fish and frogs; but the principal portion of the Kingfisher's 

 diet consists of small fishes, not only the more sluggish varieties like the 

 common minnows and chubs of our warmer waters, but even brook trout 

 and young bass often fall victims to the skill of this unrivaled fisherman. 

 Only one species is known in the eastern United States, although the Texas 

 Kingfisher has been reported from the vicinity of New York City. The 

 latter was undoubtedly an escape from captivity. 



Ceryle alcyon (Linnaeus) 

 Belted Kingfisher 



Plate 58 



Alcedo alcyon Linnaeus. Syst. Nat. Ed. 10. 1758. 1:115 



DeKay. Zool. of N. Y. 1844. pt 2, p. 45, fig. 40 and 41 

 Ceryle alcyon A. O. U. Check List. Ed. 3. 1910. p. 183. No. 390 

 cfryle, Gr., xrjp'i'Xos, kingfisher; dlcyon, dXxuuw, halcyon or kingfisher 



Description. Head crested, bill very long and stout, tail short and broad, 

 wings long and pointed, tarsus very short, front toes partially united to 

 form a fleshy sole. Upper parts and a broad band across upper breast and 

 the sides bluish gray; rest of under parts white; a broad white collar; wing and 

 tail feathers blackish, spotted or broken-barred with white; a white spot 

 in front of eye ; the female has a rufous band across upper belly and along 

 the sides. 



Length 12.5-14.75 inches; extent 22-23; wing 6-6.5; tail 3.6-4.2; 

 tarsus .44; bill 2; weight 5-6 ounces. 



Distribution. The Belted kingfisher is a common summer resident, 

 and breeds in every county of New York State. Both along the coast, 

 in the Hudson valley and in western New York it is also a winter resident 

 in localities where there is open water, though much less common than in 

 the summer. The migratory birds arrive in different parts of the State 



