_C. amazona_ is also found as far south as Buenos Ayres, where I have always seen them singly or in pairs. Its usual cry is exceedingly loud, hard, and abrupt, and so rapidly reiterated as to give it a sound resembling that of a policeman's rattle. But this is not its only language, and I was greatly surprised one day at hearing one _warbling_ long clear notes, somewhat flute-like in quality, as it flew from tree to tree along the borders of a stream. It seems very strange that there should be a melodious Kingfisher; but Mr. Barrows also heard the allied _Ceryle americana_ sing, much to his surprise. My belief is, that the birds of this group possess a singing faculty, but very rarely exercise it; with _C. americana_ I am well acquainted, yet I never heard it utter any note except its hard, rattling cry, resembling that of _C. amazona_, but less powerful. 263. CERYLE AMERICANA (Gm.). (LITTLE KINGFISHER.) +Ceryle americana+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 103; _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 185 (Buenos Ayres); _Salvin, Ibis_, 1880, p. 361 (Salta); _Barrows, Auk_, 1884, p. 26 (Entrerios); _Sharpe, Mon. Alc._ pl. xxvi. p. 89. +Chloroceryle americana+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 447 (Paraná). _Description._--Above bronzy green; line along sides of head and neck-collar white; wings spotted with white; tail above green, beneath blackish, barred with white on the inner webs; throat white; breast chestnut-red; belly and crissum white, flanks with bronzy-green spots; bill and feet black: whole length 7·0 inches, wing 3·1, tail 2·5. _Female_ similar, but no chestnut on the breast, which is crossed by a bronzy-green band. _Hab._ South America. This is the smallest of our three Kingfishers, and nearly resembles _C. amazona_ in plumage. Durnford found it "not uncommon" about the creeks and streams at the mouth of the Paraná, and also obtained specimens in the north of the Republic near Salta, during his last journey. Prof. Burmeister met with it at Paraná and Tucuman. Mr. Barrows gives us the following notes on this Kingfisher:--