96 
VEETEBEATA. 
frequent for months. At sucli times the disproportionate size of the head is rendered more con- 
spicuous by the bird raising its feathers so as to appear not unlike a puff-ball; hence the general 
name they have received from the English residents in Brazil, of which country all the spe- 
cies, I believe, are natives. When frightened, this form is suddenly changed by the feathers lying 
quite flat. They are very confiding, and will often take their station within a few yards of the 
window. The two sexes are generally near each other, and often on the same tree." The length 
of this species is about eight inches ; plumage black and white, the belly being tinged with buff. 
The Eed-throated Tamatia, T. maculata, is of a reddish-brown, and is found in Guiana. 
THE GALBQLIDES OR JACAMARS. 
This group includes several genera and several species : they are very handsome birds, adorned 
with bright colors, green being predominant. They are peculiar to tropical South America and 
the West Indies, where they generally lead a solitary life in the forests, perched upon trees watch- 
ing for insects, on which they prey. 
The Genus JACAMAR : Galhula, includes the Common Jacamar, G. viridis ; it is of a bril- 
liant golden-green, eight inches long, and is found in Cayenne. The Eed-tailed Jacamar, G. ruji- 
Cauda, inhabits the island of Trinidad. It is of a golden-green color above ; the throat white ; 
the breast rfed; the tail golden-green and red. (See p. 92.) 
THB EUROPEAN KINGFISHER. 
THE KINGFISHERS OR HALCTONIDJE. 
In this family, which, according to some authors, includes the barbets and jacamars, the bill is 
long, straight, angular, and pointed; there are various species, feeding principally on fish, which 
they catch by darting suddenly down upon them from some perch on which they sit watching 
for their prey ; they also eat small Crustacea, reptiles, and insects. They, make their nests in holes 
and in cavities along the banks of I'ivers and lakes. 
Genus ALCEDO : Alcedo. — This term is the Latin for kingfisher, and the genus includes the 
Common Kingfisher of Europe, A. ispida — the Martin Fecheur of the French ; Martino Fesca- 
tore of the Italians ; and Gemeine Msvogel of the Germans : probably the Halcyon of the Greeks. 
Its length is about seven inches ; the upper part of the head, the wing-coverts, and a stripe on 
each side of the neck, are green, covered with light-blue spots ; the upper part of the back is 
dark green, the lower part and rump bright blue ; the throat, and a streak on each side of the 
neck, are yellowish-white, and the lower parts pale chestnut. The quill-feathers of the wings 
are greenish -black, and those of the tail deep blue. All these colors have the metallic brilliancy 
of the tropical birds. It is found throughout Middle Europe, living in the milder parts, and even 
in England, all the year. Its flight is rapid and darting, like an arrow. It is a solitary bird, in- 
