MOTMOTS— KINGFISHERS 143 



which they make Httle or no nest — at best but a mass 

 of roots, grass, hair and feathers. 



The Motmots are South American birds about 

 whose position there has been much controversy 

 among naturaUsts, but which are now thought to be 

 most nearly alUed to the Kingfishers. Their coloura- 

 tion is mostly greenish and bluish. In appearance 

 they somewhat resemble the European Bee-eater. 

 Motmots have a peculiar habit, one that is unique 

 among birds and the reason for which is not under- 

 stood, of deliberately picking away a part of the web 

 from the two middle tail-feathers, leaving a racket- 

 shaped end to each. These feathers are two inches 

 longer than the others, and it is said that even the 

 youngest birds of both sexes begin to pick at them as 

 soon as they have grown beyond the others. 



The Lesson Mexican Motmot has the crown of the 

 head dark green, encircled with brilliant blue feathers. 

 It is also known as the Blue-capped Motmot. 



Among the most beautiful of living birds are the 

 Kingfishers. In size they present a wide range, the 

 largest species, the Laughing Jackass, or Giant King- 

 fisher of Australia, being about eighteen inches in 

 length, while the smallest are not as big as Sparrows. 

 In colouration also they are wonderfully varied. The 

 species mentioned has head, throat and under-parts 

 buff, wings brownish with the upper coverts spotted 

 with blue, the tail brown, barred with black and tipped 

 at the end with white. This bird receives its name 

 from its strange cry, which it uttered thrice — morn- 

 ing, noon and night. 



As a family, the Kingfishers have short bodies and 



