336 ELEMENTARY ZOOLOGY. 



have two toes directed forward and two backward in 

 adaptation to the position they take in climbing. The 

 tail has stiff, pointed feathers which aid them in climbing. 

 They have sharp, strong bills and a long protrusible 

 tongue for the capture of insects. The nests are made in 



FIG. 142. Belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon, L.). About one-fourth natural size. 

 Photo by Folsom. 



holes in trees excavated by the birds. Many of them 

 have striking coloration. This is one of the most interest- 

 ing groups for the beginner to study. 



Near these are placed the cuckoos, the kingfishers, and 

 the toucans or horn-bills. The kingfisher (Fig. 142) and 

 the rain-crows, or American cuckoos, are the only species 

 of these last-named birds the student is likely to find. 



The chimney-swifts, whippoorwill, and the humming- 



