Thf Kincfishef<. ,1 



FAMILY ALCEDINID/E. 



THE Kingfishers of the world are represented by about 1.30 species, many of 

 them of great beauty. Structurally they are perhaps as nearly allied to the 

 Rollers and Bee-eaters as to any other European groups of birds, agreeing with 

 them in their digestive organs, the general structure of their nniscles, and in 

 having the hinder margin of the breast-bone doubly notched on each side, a 

 character also common to the Woodpeckers, but wanting in the Hoopoes, near to 

 which Huxley placed them. In their flight they somewhat resemble the Bee- 

 eaters. 



The points in a Kingfisher which are most noticeable are the great size of 

 the head with the long powerful bill ; the small size of tlie feet with their small 

 hind toe and usuall}^ short tail. In some genera, howe\er, the tail is verj- long, 

 one of the greatest beauties of the so-called Racquet-tailed Kingfishers being the 

 paddle-shaped feathers which adorn this appendage. As a rule the tail consists 

 of twelve, but sometimes of only ten feathers. The wing is of moderate length, 

 rounded, and has ten primaries. 



Most Kingfishers, as their name indicates, prey upon small fish, to obtain 

 which the}- dive into the water ; but some feed on reptiles, Crustacea, or even 

 insects. Their flight is direct and rapid, the wings being frequentlv flapped at 

 first, then held still but open, as the bird glides smoothly onward. As a rule the 

 flight is not long sustained. The notes of these birds are either .shrill or harsh 

 in character. 



Kingfishers breed in holes, generall}' in banks ; and frequenth" thcA" excavate 

 these for themselves, spending a considerable amount of labour and much time 

 over the operation. The onl}- apolog}' for a nest consists of the bones and indi- 

 gestible portions of the birds' food. The eggs are hard, highly polished, rounded 

 and pure white, though with a ros}- flush when freshly deposited, owing to the 

 yolk being seen through the shell. 



Only one species of Kingfisher is found in the British Islands : it is exceed- 

 ingly beautiful, and various more or less successful attempts have been made to 

 keep it in aviaries ; it, however, never lives to a great age in captivit}", and is 

 most unsuitable as a pet : the same might doubtless be said of most members of 

 this family. 



