Family ——?

Genus Eurystomus, Vieill.

One species of this genus is found in Australia, and others inhabit India and Africa. They are closely allied to the Rollers, and not very distantly related to the Halcyons.

56. Eurystomus Australis, Swains.[Vol. II. ] Pl. 17.

Family HALCYONIDÆ, Vig.

Genus Dacelo, Leach.

The members of the genus Dacelo comprise the largest species of the great family of the Halcyonidæ, and form a conspicuous portion of the ornithology of Australia; but remarkably enough are confined to the south-eastern and northern portions of the country, the south-western parts being uninhabited by any species of this group. I believe that water is not essential to their existence, and that they seldom if ever drink. They feed almost exclusively upon animal substances, small quadrupeds, birds, snakes, lizards, and insects of every kind being equally acceptable.

Three species inhabit Australia.

57. Dacelo gigantea[Vol. II. ] Pl. 18.

Inhabits the south-eastern portion of Australia, from South Australia to Moreton Bay.

58. Dacelo Leachii, Vig. & Horsf.[Vol. II. ] Pl. 19.

Inhabits the north-eastern portion of Australia, and is common at Cape York.

59. Dacelo cervina, Gould[Vol. II. ] Pl. 20.

Inhabits the north-western parts of Australia, particularly the Cobourg Peninsula.

In his ‘Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington,’ Dr. Leichardt states that when near the Gulf of Carpentaria, “The laughing jackass (Dacelo Cervina, Gould) of this part of the country is of a different species from that of the eastern coast, is of a smaller size and speaks a different language; but the noise is by no means so ridiculous as that of Dacelo gigantea; he is heard before sunrise, and immediately after sunset, like his representative of the eastern coast; the latter was observed as far as the upper Lynd, where the new one made its appearance.”—P. 326.

Genus Halcyon, Swains.

The members of this genus, as now restricted, are found in all the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Australia, and New Zealand. The Australian species, which are four in number, have many habits in common with the Dacelos, and like them dwell among other places on the open plains, far away from water, and consequently must live for considerable periods without a supply of that element.

60. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. & Horsf.[Vol. II. ] Pl. 21.
61. Halcyon pyrrhopygia, Gould[Vol. II. ] Pl. 22.

Captain Sturt found this species at the Depôt, and I have received specimens from the Swan River Settlement; consequently it has a very wide range, but is more an inhabitant of the interior than of the districts near the coast.

62. Halcyon sordidus, Gould[Vol. II. ] Pl. 23.
63. Halcyon MacLeayii, Jard. & Selb.[Vol. II. ] Pl. 24.

Independently of the Cobourg Peninsula, I have received specimens of this bird from Moreton Bay and other parts of the east coast.

Genus Alcyone, Swains.

The Australian members of this genus are so intimately allied that I have only deemed it necessary to figure two species, viz. Alcyone azurea and A. pusilla; the two species not figured are both nearly allied to A. azurea, and may be considered its northern and southern prototypes, since the one to which I have given the name of pulchra inhabits the north coast, and the other, which I have called Diemenensis, inhabits Van Diemen’s Land. The A. azurea inhabits the intermediate or rather the south-eastern portions of the country, but no species of the genus has yet been found in Western Australia. They all frequent the margins of rivers, and live on small fish and insects, and have many habits in common with the members of the genus Alcedo, of which the Kingfisher of Europe, A. Ispida, is the type. Although some species are found in New Guinea and the Indian Islands, Australia is the country in which birds of this form are most abundant.

64. Alcyone azurea[Vol. II. ] Pl. 25.
65. Alcyone Diemenensis, Gould.

All the upper surface deep blue, becoming more vivid on the rump and upper tail-coverts; wings black washed with blue; throat buff; under surface of the body and wings ferruginous orange; on each side of the chest a patch of bluish black; lores and a small patch behind the ears buff; crown of the head indistinctly barred with black; irides and bill black; feet orange. Total length 6½ inches; bill, 2; wing, 3⅛; tail, 1¾; tarsi, ½.

Inhabits Van Diemen’s Land.

More robust than Alcyone azurea, or A. pulchra, and differing from both in the blue of the upper surface being tinged with green.

66. Alcyone pulchra, Gould.

All the upper surface shining purplish blue; wings brownish black; lores, tuft behind the ear, and throat buff; under surface deep ferruginous orange; sides of the chest fine purplish blue, passing into a rich vinous tint on the flanks; irides and bill black; feet orange. Total length 6 inches; bill, 2; wing, 2⅞; tail, 1½; tarsi ½.

Inhabits the north coast of Australia.

This is the finest coloured species of the Australian Alcyones, and is distinguished by the beautiful vinous colouring of the flanks.

67. Alcyone pusilla[Vol. II. ] Pl. 26.