THE KINGFISHER. 31 
FAMILY ALCEDINID. 
HE Kingfishers of the world are represented by about 130 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 muscles, 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 the feet with their small 
hind toe and usually short tail. In some genera, however, the tail is very 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 they dive into the water; but some feed on reptiles, crustacea, or even 
insects. Their flight is direct and rapid, the wings being frequently 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, generally in banks; and frequently they excavate 
these for themselves, spending a considerable amount of labour and much time 
over the operation. The only apology 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 rosy 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 captivity, and is 
most unsuitable as a pet: the same might doubtless be said of most members of 
this family. 
