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PICiE. 
GENUS 25. 
ALCEDO— KINGFISHER. 
This genus which is supposed to be 
spread over every part of the globe, con- 
tains forty-three species besides varieties, 
the distinguishing characters of which 
are — 
Bill; triangular, thick, straight, long, 
pointed. 
Tongue; fleshy, very short, flat pointed. 
Feet; (in most) gressorial. 
These birds mostly frequent rivers, and 
live on fish, which they catch with much 
dexterity. They swallow their prey whole, 
but bring up the undigested parts in form 
of pellets. The wings of most of the 
genus are very short, yet they fly with 
great strength and rapidity. The three 
lower joints of the middle toe are closely 
joined to the outermost. 
In some of the islands of the Sooth 
