The GREY KINGFISHER (_Ceryle rudis_) is chequered blue and white on
the mantle, with a white under side, relieved by two black lines upon
the breast, and dark spots upon the sides; the top of the head and
the cheek-stripes are black, the eyebrows black and white, the white
tail-feathers are crossed by a black line near the extremity, the eye and
foot are brown, the beak is black. This species is ten inches long and
eighteen broad; the wing measures five and the tail three inches. The
female has but one black line upon her breast.
The Grey Kingfisher is met with in almost every part of Africa, in Syria,
Egypt, Palestine, Persia, and, we believe, in India; in Europe, as far as
we can ascertain, it has only been seen in Greece and Dalmatia. Unlike
the true Kingfisher, this bird exhibits a most social disposition, and
prosecutes its search for food in spots constantly frequented not only by
cattle, but by man. The chase after fish is sometimes carried on from the
top of a post or projecting branch, sometimes while the bird is hovering
over water, into which it plunges headlong at the first appearance of a
suitable victim, which is borne off to some favourite perch, and there
devoured, after (as is frequently the case) it has been struck repeatedly
against the branch or post. When in pursuit of food, the Grey Kingfisher
flies over the surface of the water with a Falcon-like motion, rising and
sinking rapidly through the air, and varying its movements with equal
adroitness and grace. During the daytime it is comparatively quiet, but
towards evening begins to disport itself in this manner, accompanying
its movements by a loud, shrill, monotonous cry. According to our own
experience, the breeding season commences in Egypt about March or April.
Tristram informs us that the nests made by this bird in Palestine are
placed in settlements formed in the steep banks of rivers. Some which he
examined had their entrances not more than four inches above the level
of the water; each of these entrance-passages was about three inches and
a half deep, and led into the actual nest; a few fish-bones and a little
grass had been placed to form a bed, on which the eggs were deposited.
The latter vary both in form and colour; those we saw were oval in shape,
and pure white.
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The ALCYONS (_Halcyones_) are at once recognisable from the Kingfishers
by the superior development of their wings, their greater breadth of
beak, and more powerful feet. The plumage is lax and of brilliant hue,
and, in some species, rivals that of any member of the feathered creation
in gorgeous beauty. Africa, Southern Asia, Australia, and the islands
in their vicinity, afford a home to the numerous and varied members of
this group; in America and Europe they are unrepresented. All are more
or less inhabitants of woodland districts, and but few exhibit a decided
preference for the vicinity of water. Unlike the Kingfisher, the Alcyons
are active in their habits, and, when winging their way through the air,
equal the Bee-eater in agility and grace. But few move with ease upon
the ground, or are capable of obtaining their prey by plunging beneath
the water; they usually procure the insects, beetles, and grasshoppers
on which they mainly subsist by darting down upon them from a chosen
lurking-place among the branches of their favourite trees. Some, we are
told, will even attack snakes, while others destroy large numbers of
other birds' eggs and young. Such as possess sufficient zeal to obtain a
few fish or crabs, exhibit but little skill either in swimming or diving
after them. The voice of all is loud and peculiar, and, as far as our own
observation goes, their intelligence and senses are not highly developed.
Their neatly-constructed nest is usually placed in a tree, or hollow in a
stone or in the ground. The eggs are pure white and very glossy.
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The TREE ALCYONS (_Halcyones_) are recognisable by their long, straight,
broad beak, which in some species turns slightly upwards, their short
feet, moderate-sized and rounded wing, with its third quill only a trifle
longer than the fourth and fifth, and a comparatively short and rounded
tail.