ORDER SEVENTH. 
HALCYONS. (Alcyones. Temm.) 
The bill usually long, sharp-pointed, almost quadrangu- 
lar, and slightly curved or straight. Feet very short ; the 
tarsus reticulated ; the middle toe united with the outer, 
commonly to the second joint, and with the inner toe to 
the first articulation. Female and young usually almost 
similar to the adult ; the moult annual. 
These birds reside near waters ; fly swiftly ; perch on 
trees or rocks, but seldom descend to the ground, the feet 
being too short either for walking or leaping. They 
subsist on insects, which they take while on the wing ; or 
on fishes, seizing them as they approach the surface 
of the water. They breed in holes burrowed in the fria- 
ble banks of streams ; and the eggs are numerous. The 
voice is harsh and monotonous ; and they are at all times 
shy, and are tamed with difficulty. 
KING-FISHERS. (Alcedo. Lin.) 
In these the bill is long, robust, straight and quadrangular, com- 
pressed and acute, rarely somewhat curved at the point. Nostrils 
basal, lateral, oblique, almost wholly closed by a naked membrane. 
Tongue very short and fleshy. Feet short and robust, tarsus shorter 
than the middle toe, which is nearly equal to the outer ; inner toe 
rarely wanting, hind toe wide at the base ; nail of the hind toe 
smallest. Wings rather short, 1st and 2d primaries a little shorter 
than the third, which is longest. 
50 * 
