542 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



end ; there all cease to grow except the two middle ones, which soon pass 

 the others by about an inch and a half. Up to this point the webs of 

 these two feathers are jnst the same throughout, except the sub-terminal 

 portion, which is much narrower. Thus far no mutilation has taken place ; 

 but as soon as these feathers exceed the others a little more, the web 



Fig. A4U. — Kiugfisher (Alcedo ispida). 



begins to disappear, and the outer web of each feather is generally taken 

 n\\ first." 



The kingfishers, of which we know about a hundred and fifty species, 

 are brightly colored birds, the typical members of which are as fond of 

 fish, and as dextrous in catching them, as any fish-hawk, or any disciple 

 of Isaac Walton. These fishing tonus are too well known to need any 

 description. Every one has seen them perched on some branch overhang- 



