The two species which inhabit North America within the limits of the United States belong to this genus, and it contains also various others of different parts of the world. They are, however, most numerous in South and Central America and Mexico. 1. Ceryle alcyon. (Linn.) The Belted King-Fisher. Alcedo alcyon. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 180. (1766.) Ispida ludoviciana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 452. (1788.) Alcedo jaguacati. Dumont, Dict. Sci. Nat., I. p. 455. (1816.) Alcedo guacu. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 406? Buffon, Pl. Enl., 593, 715; Catesby’s Carolina, I. pl. 69; Wilson, Am. Orn., III. pl. 23, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 77, Oct. ed. IV. pl. 255. Form robust; head large, with the feathers of the crown and occiput lengthened, crest-like and erectile; wings long; second quill longest; tail moderate; tarsus very short; tibia longer; entire upper-parts, cheeks, and a wide transverse band or belt on the breast, light ashy-blue, generally with minute white spots on the wing-coverts and secondaries; throat and abdomen, and a small spot before the eye, white; flanks, and frequently the sides, ashy-blue, with white spots; quills black, more or less marked with white on their inner webs; secondaries widely edged on their outer webs with ashy-blue, uniform with other upper parts, and tipped narrowly with white; tail bluish-black, outer feathers edged externally with light ashy-blue, and middle feathers almost entirely of that color, and all having about ten to twelve narrow transverse bands of white, and narrowly tipped with white; under wing-coverts white. Younger, with the pectoral band light reddish chestnut, and frequently with a second and sometimes with a third band across the abdomen, and the sides and flanks of the same color; bill and feet dark. Sexes alike? Specimens occur with the wide pectoral band in all stages of change, from the light red to light ashy-blue. Dimensions. Total length, male, about 12 inches; wing, 6¼; tail, 3⅓ inches. Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. Williams). Frequently met with in all parts of the United States, frequenting streams of water. It is a sprightly and handsome bird, and was until recently considered as the only North American species of the extensive family of King-Fishers. That honor must now, however, be partially shared with the succeeding. 2. Ceryle americana. (Gmelin.) The Texan Green King-Fisher. Alcedo americana. Gm., Syst., I. p. 451. (1788.) Alcedo viridis. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 413. (1818)? Buff., Pl. Enl. 591.