PLATE V. BELTHD KINGFISHER. 



Ceryle alcyoti. 



Above ashy blue ; a band of the same across the breast ; remainder 

 of underparts and a spot before the eye white ; tail square, banded and 

 spotted with white ; head large, and splendidly crested ; bill long, black ; 

 feet dark. Length, 13 inches. 



Resident, except when driven southward by excessive cold, Note, a loud rattle. 

 Nests in holes dug in a dry, sandy bank. Its haunts are brooks and river-banks, where it 

 may be seen stationed upon some overhanging branch ready to plunge into the stream 

 after its prey. 



Watch it, and it will soon dart down into the water with a heavy splash, and then 

 mount again to its perch, generally bearing a fish in its beak. The fish is beaten upon the 

 limb until killed, or until the spines of its fins have been crushed, after which it is swallowed, 

 a feat of seeming difficulty and little apparent enjoyment, and only accomplished after 

 much gulping and stretching of neck, jerking of wings and contortion of body. 



Now draw nearer, and the bird will take its flight, springing its rattle with angry in- 



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