[262.] CERYLE AMAZONA (Lath.).
(AMAZONIAN KINGFISHER.)
Ceryle amazona, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 103; White, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 40 (Cordova); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 26 (Entrerios); Sharpe, Mon. Alc. pl. xxiv. p. 83. Chloroceryle amazona, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 446 (Paraná).
Description.—Above dark green, with a white neck-band: beneath white, with a broad chestnut pectoral band; flanks striped with green; under surface of wings white; tail beneath slaty, with white bars on the inner webs: whole length 11·0 inches, wing 5·3, tail 3·4. Female without the red pectoral band, which is incompletely replaced by dark green.
Hab. South America.
This Kingfisher was found by White at Cosquin, where it is usually met with along the acequias, or canals made for the purpose of irrigating the cultivated lands. These canals are in places bordered with brushwood and trees, and are tolerably deep, with a swiftly flowing current, and abound in small fishes, so that this bird seems to prefer them as hunting-grounds to the rocky river-bed.
In Entrerios Mr. Barrows tells us this Kingfisher is not uncommon along the Lower Uruguay, and sometimes ascends the smaller streams a short distance. It is much more easily approached than C. torquata.
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.