File:A monograph of the Alcedinidae (19210674964).jpg

Hah. Xew Granada, Bogota .aaac PI. Sdater). Trinidad (Leotaud). Venezuela. San
Iflilil (r .inj). Tobago (Kirk). Guiana. BritiA Ommwm (SdumAurgk), Cxyemme (mug. BeroL).
Amazonia, Paral B. "nil—Ian. Soa* Bank of He *— — — (WaUaoe). Barba (batterer). Pebas
(HvJunrtU), Ijywer TcajaK (Bardett). Saata Graz, HnBaga Birer (Bartlett). Brazil (TTSei, 5kt-
mrister), Bio Janeiro, Sapiaba, fivas Fineaoa sad Fizaqae, Begisto do Sai, Taixera, Taipa, Ypanema,
T^a^ga, Goiaz, Can-aba, Bio Gnapare, Maso-groaso (NatLerer). Argentine Republic, On—Vrtaa
.Hudson). Parana (Bwrmeigter).
This is the commonest species of American Kingfisher, and is •widely distributed on
the eastern side of South America ; on the western and also to the northward above
Panama, it is represented by Ceryle oabanisi. The notes subjoined are all the details I have
beat able to find respecting its habits.
Mr. Darwin, in his M Naturalist's Voyage " (lc), speaking of the birds of the Rio
Parana, notices the present specie?, and says: —
•• It has a longer tail than the European species, and hence does not sit in so stiff and
■fight a position Its flight, also, instead of being direct and rapid like the course of an
arrow, is weak and undulatory as among the soft-billed birds. It utters a low note like
the Hif-j^rar together of two small stones "
My friend Mr. W. Jesse also informs me that the little Green Kingfisher of Brazil has
a curious way of jerking his tail upwards, and the front figure in the accompanying plate
is drawn from a sketch he gave me.
The late Prince Maximilian of Xeu-Wied has recorded the following details respecting
the present bird: —
" This small Kingfisher is the commonest and most numerous of all the birds of this
family observed by me in the Brazils. It lives everywhere in company with Alcedo amazona.
is very similar in form, habits, and colour, but is less shy. visiting even small puddles
and marshy ponds near habitations, where small fish have been left behind. It is most
often observed on the shores of rivers, on the banks of gmaTI forest brooks, where, in the
dark overshadowed cavities, it sits on a root growing across, or a small twig, jerking ite
tail and often plunging suddenly into the water. In the great heat of the day it is fond of
washing in shallow water."
•• In disposition it is not shy, and I have often approached close to one ; on taking
flight they dart away like a bullet, but soon settle again, often at the same time e r ectin g
their crest and uttering their cry. This bird diners from our European Eangfisher chieflv
in the longer tail, which it often raises up and down. Its food consists of small fishes :
insects I have never found in the aftnmarh The nest is in the hole of a bank which is
tunnelled by the bird itself, and the eggs are said to be white. The fishermen take the
young birds out of the nest, and use them for baiting their hooks.