48 
Synopsis of the Birds 
rarely somewhat curved at tip ; lower nearly straight, a 
little recurved at tip : nostrils basal, approximated, oblong, 
oblique, more than half closed by a naked membrane : tongue 
very short, flesh}', depressed, narrowed and acute at tip. 
Feet robust; tarsus one half shorter than the middle toe, 
which is nearly equal to the outer ; inner considerably short- 
er than the middle one, rarely wanting ; hind toe wide at 
base, nearly equal to the inner : nails incurved, compress- 
ed, channelled beneath, that of the middle toe largest and di- 
lated interiorly. Wings rather short ; first and second prima- 
ries a little shorter than the third, which is longest. 
Body thick, compact ; head large, elongated : plumage 
close, glossy. Moult annually. 
Solitary. Abstemious : feed on insects, Crustacea, mollusca, 
and principally small fishes, which they watch for from a 
perch, catch with admirable dexterity and swallow entire, 
afterwards casting up the scales and other indigestible parts 
in the form of pellets. Fly with celerity short distances, 
skimming the surface of the water or land. 
Spread all over the globe, abounding most in warm cli- 
mates ; one species in Europe, and one in the United States. 
47. Alcedo alcyon, L. Crested ; bluish-slate ; breast with a 
ferruginous band ; spot before and behind the eyes, a large 
collar round the neck, and the vent, white. 
Belted Kingfisher, Alcedo Alcyon, Wils . Am. Orn. Hi. 
p. 59. pi- 23. fig. 1. 
Inhabits common from Hudson's Bay to the equator, and 
probably still farther south : migrating in cold and temperate 
regions. 
FAMILY VII. GREGARII. 
Gregarii, Coraces , III. Conirostres, Cuv. Latr . Textores , 
Leimonites , Coraces , Carunculati, Paradisei, Vieill. Ifanti, 
Metrioramfi, Plereoramfi, Rnnz. Order Omnivores, Temm. 
Bile moderate, hard, robust, straight, acuminate, acute^ 
forming a sinus in the frontal feathers or cultrate ; edges 
