GENUS XXIV. ALCEDO. KINGSFISHER. 



SPECIES. A. ALCYON. 



BELTED KINGSFISHER. 



[Plate XXIIL Fig. 1. Female.] 



BARTRAM,/?. 289. TURTON, p. 278. PEALE'S Museum, JVb. 2145.* 



THIS is a general inhabitant of the banks and shores of all 

 our fresh-water rivers from Hudson's bay to Mexico; and is the 

 only species of its tribe found within the United States. This 

 last circumstance, and its characteristic appearance, make it as 

 universally known here, as its elegant little brother, the common 

 Kingsfisher of Europe, is in Britain. Like the love-lorn swains 

 of whom poets tell us, he delights in murmuring streams and 

 falling waters; not however merely that they may sooth his ear, 

 but for a gratification somewhat more substantial. Amidst the 

 roar of the cataract, or over the foam of a torrent, he sits perched 

 upon an overhanging bough, glancing his piercing eye in every 

 direction below for his scaly prey, which with a sudden circular 

 plunge he sweeps from their native element, and swallows in 

 an instant. His voice, which is not unlike the twirling of a 

 watchman's rattle, is naturally loud, harsh, and sudden; but is 

 softened by the sound of the brawling streams- and cascades 

 among which he generally rambles. He courses along the wind- 

 ings of the brook or river, at a small height above the surface, 

 sometimes suspending himself by the rapid action of his wings, 

 like certain species of Hawks, ready to pounce on the fry below; 

 now and then settling on an old dead overhanging limb to re- 

 connoitre. Mill-dams are particularly visited by this feathered 



* We add the following synonymes: Alcedo alcyon, LIICW. Syst. ed. 10, vol. 

 i, 115. GMM. Syst. i, 451. -LATH. Ind. Orn. 257. CATMBT, r, 69, Bunr 

 PL Enl. 593-715. 



