F B I R D S. 32I 



are without, being only diftinguifhed with white. The toes, the 

 end-feathers of the tail, and the guts of all the fpecies, aredif- 

 pofed alike. Two of the toes are placed behind, and two be- 

 fore, the lowed bones of the foretoes united. The end-feathers 

 of the tail are all bifid, the four middle ones entirely black, 

 ilrong and bending inwards, to fupport the body in climbing 

 trees. The guts lie deep in the anterior part of the body, to pre- 

 ferve them from being hurt by the violent flrokes made with the 

 bill on trees, with the head downwards. They have this farther 

 peculiarity, they want the Appendices of the blind guts. Their 

 eggs are white. They are faid to make themfelves a dwelling 

 fometimes fo artfully, and the entrance fo perfectly round,, in a 

 folid tree, as not to be excelled by the moft Ikilful geometrician. 

 Our common people call them Pick-a-trees, alfo Rain-fowl, from 

 their being more loud and noify before rain. A polite and ob- 

 ferving nation, the old Romans, called them by the fame name, 

 Pluvi Aves, for the fame reafon. It is an adlive fprightly bird, 

 climbing a tree with wonderful expedition and fwiftnefs, never 

 weary in feeking its living. The vermicular offspring of beetles, 

 and fmall infects, are its favourite food. The bird here defcribed 

 was mot in Z)/#?0-park, near Hexham. 



18. The Alcyon, or Kings-ffier, (<v), is not tmfrequent on the 

 fhady banks of our larger rivers, and deferves notice for its 

 beauty. It weighs about an ounce and a quarter. The beak is 

 almoft two inches long, of a trigonal form, flraight and fharp, 

 and of a black colour to the corners of the mouth, which are 

 white 5 the infide of the mouth yellow ; the tongue fhort, broad, 

 pointed, and not bifid at the tip ; the eyes pretty large, and of a 



(v). Kpida, Alcyon fluviatilis, vuigo Pifcator Regis, THE KINGS-FISHER. Charlet. Ar, 

 p. 3. n. 13. 



VOL. I. T t piercing 



