ng white, very finely
vermiculated with black, as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except
for a white band across the breast, are rosy red. This species nest in
cavities in large trees, generally in large, deserted Woodpecker holes.
They are also said to have been found nesting in holes in banks. Their
eggs are three or four in number and are a dull white in color. Size
1.10 x .85.

[Illustration 248: Black-billed Cuckoo.]
[Illustration: Greenish blue.]
[Illustration: Dull White.]
[Illustration: 387a--389.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 247

KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINIDAE

390. BELTED KINGFISHER. _Ceryle alcyon._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern United States,
northward and wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range,
southward.

This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its
rattling notes are among the most familiar of sounds. Their food is
almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from
their perch on an old dead limb overhanging the water, or by hovering in
the air like an Osprey. Their nests are located at the end of burrows in
sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers. These tunnels, which are
dug by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top of
the bank and extend back from six to eight feet, either in a straight
line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitable nesting place, in
which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and pure white
in color. Size 1.35 x 1.05. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts,
June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bird
removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.

390.1. Ringed Kingfisher. _Ceryle torquata._

Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the
underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They
nest in river banks the same as the common American species, and the
eggs are white, but larger. Size 1.45 x 1.10.

[Illustration 249: White.]
[Illustration: Belted Kingfisher.]
[Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 248

[Illustration 250: C. A. Reed.
YOUNG KINGFISHERS.]

Page 249

391. TEXAS KINGFISHER. _Ceryle americana septentrionalis_.

Range.--Southern Texas, south through Mexico.

This variety is much smaller than the Belted, leng