62 



BELTED KINGSFISHER 



dirty yellowish color; above the knee bare of feathers for half an 

 inch ; the two exterior toes united together for nearly their whole 

 length. 



The female is sprinkled all over with specks of white; the 

 band of blue around the upper part of the breast is nearly half red- 

 dish brown; and a little below this passes a band of bright reddish 

 bay, spreading on each side under the wings. The blue and ru- 

 fous feathers on the breast are strong like scales. The head is also 

 of a much darker blue than the back, and the white feathers on 

 the chin and throat of an exquisite fine glossy texture, like the 

 most beautiful satin. 



