_Ceryle alcyon. Case 3, Fig. 18; Case 5, Fig. 10_
The female resembles the male, but the sides and
the band across the breast are reddish brown. This
is our only Kingfisher. Crest, color, size,
habits, all distinguish him. L. 13.
_Range._ North America; winters from Illinois and
Virginia, southward; migrates north in early
April.
Washington, common P.R., except in midwinter.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 1-Nov. 23; casual in
winter. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 10-Nov. 1;
rare W.V. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. 20-Nov. 1;
rare W.V. Glenn Ellyn, isolated pairs, Apl. 1-Nov.
19. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 21-Dec. 12.
The Belted Kingfisher is a watchman of the waterways who sounds his loud
rattle when we trespass on his territory, a gallant fisherman, who, like
a Falcon 'waits on' with fluttering wing, and the moment his aim is
taken plunges headlong with a splash on some fish that has ventured too
near the surface.
The nest is made at the end of a burrow in a bank; 5-8 white eggs are
laid in May.