File:A monograph of the Alcedinidae (19212389153).jpg

the secondaries ; tail-feathers bronzy-green above, blackish beneath, the inner web of all but
the middle ones, spotted with white ; a line of feathers from the base of the bill extending
on to the sides of the neck, bronzy-green ; throat white ; a broad band across the chest
bright rufous ; abdomen and under wing- and tail-coverts white, the flanks streaked with
bronzy-green; bill and feet black; eye nearly black. Total length 12 inches, of bill from
front 2.5, from gape 3.5, wing 5.0, tail 3.0, tarsus 0,25, middle toe 0.6, hind toe 0.3.
Female. Similar to the male, but wanting the red chest-band, which is supplied by
an interrupted band of bronzy-green.
Hub. Central America: Mexico, .Mils. Philad.), Honduras, Onioa (Leylarul), Guatemala, Vera Paz,
Rio Samala, San Geronimo (Salvi7l), Mosquitia (Wickh(im), Yeragua, Panama (Mc'Leannail), Santiago
(Salvia), R. Nercua (Jfifhle/'). Guiana: British Guiana (Sc/lOmbu.'(/k), Surinam (MtJLS. P/lilad.) Cayenne
.Mws. P. L. Sclater), New Grenada, Bogota (Mm. P. L. Sclater). Trinidad (Leotaud). Amazonia:
Para, R. Tocantins (Wallace), Pebas (HaUXWeU), Lower Ucayali River (E. Bai'tlett). Brazil (Mad'.).
Sapitiba, Marambaya, Matto-dentro, Ypanema, Paranagua, Ytarar£, Irisanga, Goiaz (Naitever), Novo Fribourgo (Mus.
0. Salvia), Parana, (Burmeuter) . La Plata: Tucuman (Bunaeister). Peru (Tschudi).
This is the largest of the white-bellied section of the American green-backed Kingfishers
and is a beautiful species. It is a very common bird in South America, being particularly-
abundant in Brazil, where it was observed by Prince Maximilian, who published the follow-
ing note on its habits : —
" This handsome Kingfisher was observed in most parts of the province visited by
me, being, however, nowhere so plentiful as in the southern portion, at Cabo Frio, Marica,
Sagoarema, and the lakes of Araruama, Ponta Negra, Lagoa Feia, &c, especially in those
parts of the country where there are lakes in which water-plants grow. Here it sits on an
isolated branch above the water, often in the thick shade of overhanging bushes and trees,
and watches for its prey. It often moves its tail up and down when perching, and then
afterwards plunges into the water. Its nest is found in the hole of a bank. It flies
quickly, and close to the ground, and is rather shy. In general character and external
form it exhibits considerable analogy with Ceryle americana, which seems to be its smaller
prototype. In both these species the note is the same, and the size is the only difference."
I am indebted to Mr. Edward Bartlett for the accompanying notice of the habits
of the present species as observed by him during his recent expedition to the Peruvian
Amazons.
" Ceryle aaiazonia is found throughout the whole of the Amazon Region, breeding in
considerable numbers on the steep banks of the rivers. This species is generally observed
in the company of Ceryle torquata and on the approach of any intruder they fly up in num-
bers and keep up a loud and disagreeable chorus. The nest is generally placed in an
extremely deep hole in a flat-faced bank, whence it is very difficult to obtain the eggs, which
are four in number, of a pure white colour. The nest is composed of fish-bones and a few
sticks, and the young remain in the nest until they are able to fly and provide for them-
selves. Legs and feet black ; iridee nearly black with a slight tinge of grey-brown."
In Trinidad, according to Leotaud, it is seldom seen, for he states that: — " This