CINEREOUS KINGFISHER. 5? 



applies to that bird the Mexican name of Achala- 

 lacti or Fish-Eater. Linnaeus however regards 

 the present bird as a distinct species, in which he 

 is followed by Dr. Latham. Its size is that of a 

 Magpie, and its length fifteen inches and a half. 

 The Count de Buffon describes it under the name 

 of Alatti, shortening the aboriginal Mexican title. 

 Its general colour is blueish-grey above, and fer- 

 ruginous beneath : the feathers of the crown of 

 the head are lengthened into a slight crest, and 

 are of a deep or blackish lead-colour: the front, 

 as far as the eyes, and the throat are white, the 

 white passing behind the neck, and forming a 

 collar: the wings are varied with dull yellowish 

 white, the tips and edges of all the coverts being 

 of that colour; but the quill-feathers are dusky, 

 with yellowish white bars, and the tail lead-co- 

 loured, with similar bars; the bill and legs fer- 

 ruginous. This species is said to migrate into 

 the northern parts of Mexico at certain seasons 

 only, and is supposed to come from some warmer 

 regions. 



