,272 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



FIG. 304. Trogon. 



( Trogon Mexi- 

 canus) is the 

 only species 

 found in North 

 America. They 

 have broad, ser- 

 rated mandi- 

 bles, are richly 

 colored, green 

 and carmine. 

 The nest is gen- 

 erally placed in 

 a hollow tree, 

 the eggs num- 

 bering three or four, resembling 

 those of a pigeon. 



The Trogon resplendent, of South 

 America, is one of the most mag- 

 nificent of all birds. In the male 

 (Fig. 304) the two middle tail- 

 coverts are three times the length 

 of the bird, composed of long, 

 loose barbs of a rich metallic 

 green. 



The Kingfishers (Alcedin- 

 id(z) have large heads, a long, 

 straight bill, powerful wings, and 

 weak claws. The belted king- 

 fisher (Ceryle alcyon) is the com- 

 mon American form, a little over 

 a foot in length, colored ashy blue 

 above with a bluish band across 

 the breast, and white below. Upon 

 the head is a crest capable of being 

 lowered or elevated. They are 

 found in the borders of streams 



