ALCEDIN^E. 85 



tarsus very short ; toes short, and very slender, the first 

 small, broad, and flattened beneath, the anterior three 

 parallel and united in part of their length, or two ante- 

 rior so united, the fourth directed backwards ; claws 

 arched, compressed, acute. Wings broad, rounded, with 

 the first quill extremely small ; tail of twelve feathers. 



The peculiar form of the bill, and the rapid flight of 

 these birds, have suggested the name which I have given 

 to them. As the feebleness of their feet incapacitates 

 them from walking, they either pursue their insect prey 

 in open flight, or assuming a station, dart from thence 

 upon it. The birds of one genus, Alcedo, feed upon 

 small fishes, after which they plunge in the manner of 

 Gannets. Although only two species occur in Britain, 

 they are numerous in tropical countries. The families 

 into which they may be arranged are ALCEDIN^E, GAL- 

 BULIN^E, and TROGONLN^E, of which the two latter have 

 the feet zygodactyle. It is only of the first of these fa- 

 milies that representatives occur in Britain. 



FAMILY VIII. ALCEDESLE. ALCEDINE 

 BIRDS OR KINGFISHERS. 



Body compact ; neck short ; head rather large, oblong. 

 Bill longer than the head, straight or slightly arched, 

 opening to beneath the middle of the eye, pentagonal at 

 the base, four-sided in the rest of its extent, compressed, 

 and tapering to a point. Tongue very short, fleshy, with 

 the sides nearly parallel, the tip bluntish ; oesophagus 

 wide, thin, without crop ; stomach very large, roundish, 

 membranous ; intestine long, very slender, without cceca. 

 Trachea destitute of inferior laryngeal muscles. Feet very 

 small ; tarsus short, bare ; toes small, the first directed 

 backwards, the anterior united in part of their extent, 



