<p>The present species may be considered the type of the large slate -coloured group of <br>
the genus Ceryle, which has been separated by some authors as a distinct genus under the <br>
title of Streptoceryle. It is a native of North America, extending southwards as far as the <br>
Isthmus of Panama, from which place it has been sent by Mc'Leannan. In the northern <br>
states it is migratory, departing southwards on the approach of winter, and is stated by <br>
Professor Baird in his valuable article on the " Migrations of American Birds," to be a <br>
regular visitor to the Bermudas from September to April. With regard to the extent of <br>
its range northward I quote the following remarks of Captain Blakiston." <br><i> Besides the specimen from the Rocky Mountains already noted ('Ibis ' vol. iv. p. 3.) <br></i>
I obtained a second from my friend Mr. J. C. Clare, at York Factory, on Hudson's Bay; <br>
there are others also in the Smithsonian Institution, from between that place and Lake <br>
Winipeg, and also from Red River Settlement. Dr. Richardson, and Mr. Bernard Ross <br>
have noted the Belted Kingfisher up to 67° N. Lat., and I have observed the bird the <br>
whole distance across the interior, from Hudson's Bay to the Western base of the Rocky <br>
Mountains. It remained, in 1857, on the lower part of the Saskatchawan River till the <br>
7th of October; and I observed it in 18o9 at Pembina, where the 49th parallel crosses <br>
the Red River of the north, on the first of May." <br>
" Dr. E. Coues b says: — " I ascertained the existence of this bird in Labrador from a <br>
single skin in the possession of the natives. They considered it a rare bird." <br>
Mr. Dresser in his paper on the "Birds of Southern Texas," observes — "It is common <br>
in the Rio Grande and throughout Texas, where it remains to breed." Mr. Salvin <br>
observed the Belted Kingfisher at Belize, and again on the Golfo Dolce, and he informs me <br>
that it is tolerably common in the winter on the Atlantic Coast and throughout the whole <br>
country of Guatemala. <br>
Mr. G. C. Taylor also remarks,* 1 that " it was seen on several occasions" in Honduras. <br>
The present species was also observed by Messrs. A. and E. Newton in St. Croix, 9 <br>
and is said by them to be apparently a winter visitant, leaving the island late in April. <br>
It chiefly frequents the Mangrove swamps and the mouths of the small streams ; but some- <br>
times fishes half a mile out at sea. Its loud call has been well likened to the noise made <br>
by springing a watchman's rattle. <br>
Its food does not always seem to consist of fish, as Mr. A. Newton continues, "the <br>
stomach of one I skinned contained shells of crabs." <br>
Mr. E. Newton further remarks, " I saw what I believe to have been a bird of this <br>
species on my passage home in October 1858, in lat. 26° 17 7 N., long. 57° 28' W. It flew <br>
round the steamer several times within gunshot ; and I could clearly make out the dark <br>
belt across its breast." <br>
Dr. Bryant' records it from St. Domingo and observes, " Reichenbach has described <br>
this bird from St. Domingo as a species, as he did many other birds, without ever seeing <br>
them, in the hope that some one would discover that a difference existed, and he would get <br>
the credit of it. In the present case he was unfortunate." <br>
Professor Reichenbach, it should be added, confesses that he is unaware of the exact <br>
locality of the bird he calls domiiigemU, and to judge from his plate, it looks like a made <br>
up specimen from C. torquata and C. maxima (from Africa), to which last species Professor <br>
Schlegel (/. c.) seems inclined to refer it; but naturally hesitates to put the name of <br>
domingensis as a synonym of an African species. <br>
Two specimens of the Belted Kingfisher were obtained in Ireland in 1845, one at <br>
Annsbrook, and the other at Luggela, Wicklow. This is the only instance of its <br>
occurrence in Europe, but after reading Andubon's note recorded below concerning <br>
the power of flight of this species, we ought not to be surprised at its appearance in <br>
this part of the world. Moreover, the time of the year (Oct. 26) on which the first <br>
specimen was shot would seem to suggest that the birds, in making one of their long <br>
a. Ibis. 1863, p. 67. <br>
d. Ibis. 1860. p. 116. <br>
b. Pror. Phil. acid. 1861, p. 217. c. Ibis. 1865, p. 471. <br></p>
e. Ibis. 1859, p. 67. f. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. 1866, p. 95.
Sharpe, Richard Bowdler
1868-71.
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