File:A monograph of the Alcedinidae (19210661484).jpg

The present species may be considered the type of the large slate -coloured group of
the genus Ceryle, which has been separated by some authors as a distinct genus under the
title of Streptoceryle. It is a native of North America, extending southwards as far as the
Isthmus of Panama, from which place it has been sent by Mc'Leannan. In the northern
states it is migratory, departing southwards on the approach of winter, and is stated by
Professor Baird in his valuable article on the " Migrations of American Birds," to be a
regular visitor to the Bermudas from September to April. With regard to the extent of
its range northward I quote the following remarks of Captain Blakiston."
Besides the specimen from the Rocky Mountains already noted ('Ibis ' vol. iv. p. 3.)
I obtained a second from my friend Mr. J. C. Clare, at York Factory, on Hudson's Bay;
there are others also in the Smithsonian Institution, from between that place and Lake
Winipeg, and also from Red River Settlement. Dr. Richardson, and Mr. Bernard Ross
have noted the Belted Kingfisher up to 67° N. Lat., and I have observed the bird the
whole distance across the interior, from Hudson's Bay to the Western base of the Rocky
Mountains. It remained, in 1857, on the lower part of the Saskatchawan River till the
7th of October; and I observed it in 18o9 at Pembina, where the 49th parallel crosses
the Red River of the north, on the first of May."
" Dr. E. Coues b says: — " I ascertained the existence of this bird in Labrador from a
single skin in the possession of the natives. They considered it a rare bird."
Mr. Dresser in his paper on the "Birds of Southern Texas," observes — "It is common
in the Rio Grande and throughout Texas, where it remains to breed." Mr. Salvin
observed the Belted Kingfisher at Belize, and again on the Golfo Dolce, and he informs me
that it is tolerably common in the winter on the Atlantic Coast and throughout the whole
country of Guatemala.
Mr. G. C. Taylor also remarks,* 1 that " it was seen on several occasions" in Honduras.
The present species was also observed by Messrs. A. and E. Newton in St. Croix, 9
and is said by them to be apparently a winter visitant, leaving the island late in April.
It chiefly frequents the Mangrove swamps and the mouths of the small streams ; but some-
times fishes half a mile out at sea. Its loud call has been well likened to the noise made
by springing a watchman's rattle.
Its food does not always seem to consist of fish, as Mr. A. Newton continues, "the
stomach of one I skinned contained shells of crabs."
Mr. E. Newton further remarks, " I saw what I believe to have been a bird of this
species on my passage home in October 1858, in lat. 26° 17 7 N., long. 57° 28' W. It flew
round the steamer several times within gunshot ; and I could clearly make out the dark
belt across its breast."
Dr. Bryant' records it from St. Domingo and observes, " Reichenbach has described
this bird from St. Domingo as a species, as he did many other birds, without ever seeing
them, in the hope that some one would discover that a difference existed, and he would get
the credit of it. In the present case he was unfortunate."
Professor Reichenbach, it should be added, confesses that he is unaware of the exact
locality of the bird he calls domiiigemU, and to judge from his plate, it looks like a made
up specimen from C. torquata and C. maxima (from Africa), to which last species Professor
Schlegel (/. c.) seems inclined to refer it; but naturally hesitates to put the name of
domingensis as a synonym of an African species.
Two specimens of the Belted Kingfisher were obtained in Ireland in 1845, one at
Annsbrook, and the other at Luggela, Wicklow. This is the only instance of its
occurrence in Europe, but after reading Andubon's note recorded below concerning
the power of flight of this species, we ought not to be surprised at its appearance in
this part of the world. Moreover, the time of the year (Oct. 26) on which the first
specimen was shot would seem to suggest that the birds, in making one of their long
a. Ibis. 1863, p. 67.
d. Ibis. 1860. p. 116.
b. Pror. Phil. acid. 1861, p. 217. c. Ibis. 1865, p. 471.