1NSESSORES. ALCEDO. 135 



GENUS ALCEDO, LINN. KING'S-FISHER. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill long, straight, quadrangular, higher than broad, thick 

 and pointed ; with both mandibles gradually tapering to the 

 tip of the bill. Tongue fleshy, short, and armed'at the point. 

 Nostrils basal and lateral, pierced obliquely, and nearly closed 

 by a naked membrane. Feet having the tarsi short, with 

 three toes before, the outer toe being joined to the middle 

 one, as far as the second joint ; the inner one the same, as far 

 as the first ; and with one posterior toe, large at its base. 

 Wings, with the first and second quills nearly equal, but 

 shorter than the third ; which last is the longest in each wing. 



The different species which compose this genus, are, with 

 only one exception, natives of the other quarters of the globe, 

 and are generally remarkable for splendour of plumage. 

 They are inhabitants of the banks of lakes and rivers, living 

 upon fish and aquatic insects. They fly with great rapidity, 

 and usually lead a solitary life. They breed in the clayey 

 banks of streams, and for this purpose form deep holes, by 

 the aid of their bill and feet. Their form is short and thick. 



