CERYLE. 347 



Genus CERYLE. 



The species belonging to this genus were removed from the rest of the 

 Kingfishers by Boie (Isis, 1838, p. 316), who established the genus Ceryle 

 for their reception, designating C. rudis as the type. 



They agree with the birds in the genera Alcedo and Pelargopsis in 

 having the ridged or keeled upper mandible. From the birds of the former 

 genus they are distinguished by their long tails and longer, flatter, and 

 more pointed wings, and from the birds of both genera by their more or 

 less spotted or barred wings and tail. 



This genus contains about a dozen species, which are residents in the 

 Nearctic and Neotropical Regions, the Ethiopian and Oriental Regions, 

 and in the extreme south of the Palsearctic Region. One species is a rare 

 straggler into South-east Europe from Africa, and a second species has 

 once or twice strayed as far as the British Islands from its home on the 

 North- American continent. 



The birds belonging to this genus do not differ much in their habits from 

 those of the preceding one. They frequent streams, lakes, creeks, and the 

 sea-shore, where they often perch on some favourable site, whence they 

 pounce down upon their prey. Their food is composed of fish, crabs, 

 lizards, &c. Their flight is rapid, and their notes are loud and harsh. 

 They breed in holes in banks, making no nest, and laying round glossy 

 white eggs. 



