9G 



VERTEBRATA. 



froqiioiit tor nioiitlis. At smli tiiius the disproportionate size of the head is rendered more con- 

 spii'iious by the bird raising its feathers so as to appear not unlike a putf-ball; hence the general 

 name thev have received from the English residents in I'.razil, of -which country all the spe- 

 cies, 1 believe, are natives. AVhen frightened, this form is suddenly changed by the feathers lying 

 quite fl:it. Tliev are very confiding, and -will often take their station within a few yards of the 

 window. Tiie two sexes are generally near each other, and often on the same tree." The length 

 of this species is about eight inches ; plumage black and white, the belly being tinged with buflF. 

 The Ked-throated Tamatia, T. maculata, is of a reddish-brown, and is found in Guiana. 



TIIE GALBCLIUES OR JACAMARS. 



This group includes several geneva and several species : they are very liandsome birds, adorned 

 with bright colors, green being predominant. They are peculiar to tropical South America and 

 the "West Indies, where they generally lead a solitary life in the forests, perched upon trees watch- 

 ing for insects, on which they prey. 



The Gcmis JACAMAR : Galbula, includes the Common Jacamar, G. viridis ; it is of a bril- 

 liant o-ol den-green, eight inches long, and is found in Cayenne. The Red-tailed JacAxMar, G. rufi- 

 couda, inhabits the island of Trinidad. It is of a golden-green color above; the throat white ; 

 the breast red ; the tail golden-green and red. (See p. 9'2.) 



TUE EUROPEAN KINGFISHER. 



THE KINGFISHERS OR HALCrONID^. 



In this family, which, according to some authors, includes the barbets and jacamars, the bill is 

 long, straight, angular, and pointed; there are various species, feeding principally on fish, which' 

 they catch by darting suddenly down upon them firom some perch on which they sit watching 

 for their prey ; they also eat small Crustacea, reptiles, and insects. They make their nests in holes , 

 and in cavities along the banks of rivers and lakes. 



Genus ALCEDO : Alcedo. — This term is the Latin for kingfisher, and the genus includes the 

 Common Kingfisher of Europe, A. ispida — the Martin Pkheur of the French; Martino Fesca-, 

 tore of the Italians; and Gemeine Eisvogel of the Germans: probably the Halcyon of the Greeks., 

 Its length is about seven inches ; the upper part of the head, the wing-coverts, and a stripe on 

 each side of the neck, are green, covered with light-blue spots ; the upper pai't of the back is 

 dark green, the lower part and rump bright blue ; the throat, and a streak on each side of the ■ 

 neck, are yellowish-white, and the lower parts pale chestnut. The quill-feathers of the wings- 

 are greenish -black, and those of the tail deep blue. All these colors have the metallic brilliancy 

 of the tropical birds. It is found throughout Middle Europe, living in the milder parts, and even 

 in England, all the year. Its flight is rapid and darting, like an arrow. It is a solitary bird, in- 



