tribe II. 
AMB ULA T ORES, Illiger. 
FAMILY VI. 
ANGULIROSTRES, Ii-uger. 
GENUS VII. — ALCEDOy Linn,eus. 
4S. ALCEDO ALCTON, LINN.^US. — BELTED KINGSFISHEl^* 
WIESON, PL. XXIII. FIG. I FEMALE EDINBURGH COLLI'^* 
MUSEUM. 
Tins is a general inhabitant of the banks and 
of all our fresh water rivers, from llud.son’s Bay . 
Mexico ; and is the only species of its tribe found vrirf'.’* 
the United States. This last circnmstance, and ' . 
characteristic appearance, make it as universally kiio"' 
here, as its elegant little brother, the common kiii.istisl* ( 
of Europe, is in Britain. Like the love-lorn swain-S '' 
whom poets tell ns, he delights in murmuring streams 
falling waters ; not, however, merely that they may s®? i 
his ear, but for a gratilication somewhat more substaii*'!' 
Amidst the roar of the cataract, or over the foam 
torrent, he sits perched upon an overhanging boi'f', ' 
glancing his piercing eye in every direction bclo»’ 
his scaly priiy, H'hich, with a sudden circular plunge> ” . 
sweeps from their native element, and swallows 
instant. His voice, which is not unlike the twirlifr^’, 
a watchman’s rattle, is naturally lond, harsh, and siidd^’’'^ 
but is softened by the soiind’of the brawling strea]*^ 
and cascades among which he generally rambles. 
courses along the windings of the brook or river, a* 
small height above the surface, sometimes suspend^I’e 
himself by the rapid action of his wings, like cerW 
