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ORDER VIII. 

 ALCYONES. 



HALCYONS, OK KINGFISHER BIRDS. 



THERE are only two British birds of that order, the one a 

 resident, but by no means a common one, the other only a 

 straggling visitant, though of late years more frequent, or 

 more observed than formerly. They are birds of close and 

 finely-coloured plumage, of powerful wing, and generally very 

 graceful flight; but they are very ill adapted for walking, 

 and thus prey on the wing. One of the peculiarities of their 

 structure is the union of all the three front toes at the base, 

 which makes one of the least powerful feet among all the 

 varieties possessed by birds. The resident one is 



THE KINGFISHER (Alcedo is 



The figure, one third the lineal dimensions, on the plate at 

 page 210, will give an idea of the form, colours, and attitude 

 of this singularly shaped and exquisitely tinted little bird, 

 when reposing with closed wings. It is an inhabitant of 

 holes or burrows on the banks of streams, lives by fishing, 

 and spends much of its time in the air near the waters, or 

 perched on the bushes along the banks. Its food is not con- 

 fined to fish, for it also catches dragon-flies and other water 

 insects ; and whatever prey it catches, it swallows entire, 

 casting up the indigestible parts in pellets, after the manner 

 of the owls. 



