340 STEKNUM OF THE KINGFISHER. 



twitch which the common kingfisher makes downward 

 upon its prey is performed so rapidly as not to be 

 easily seen ; but it is probable that not only the long 

 bill, but also the head and neck, are plunged into 

 the water, and they are again recovered with equal 

 swiftness, and without materially disturbing the sur- 

 face ; so that this bird requires a very peculiar action 

 of the wing, though it is an action very difficult of 

 explanation. The following figure represents the 

 sternum of the common kingfisher of the natural size. 



It is found, by examining it in plan, that this 

 sternum is much wider posteriorly than toward the 

 front ; but that it is much weakened there, in conse- 

 quence of the two notches upon each side, the ex- 

 ternal ones of which divide it to nearly a third part 

 of its length. The difference between this sternum 

 and that of a bird of nearly similar haunt and some 

 similarity of habit, will appear by contrasting the 

 preceding figure with the following one, which re- 



