that connect the Orders and Families of Birds. 433 
gular and beautiful species of the Linnean A/cedo, the Ternate 
Kingsfisher*, shows the equal approximation of that genus to 
Galbula, and a deviation from its own type. Its tail deserts the 
shortened character of that of the true Kingsfisher, and assumes 
.the lengthened and graduated conformation of the same member 
in the Paradise Jacamar, and the other long-tailed Galbule. We 
have now arrived at the last family of the tribe, and look for that 
connecting affinity which will lead us back to that other family of 
it with which we commenced our observations. Here again the 
universally acknowledged relationship between the Halcyonide 
and the Meropide leaves me nothing additional to observe. The 
gradually attenuated bills of Alcedo and Galbula, and the increas- 
ing length of the tail in the latter genus, soften down the diffe- 
rences by which these families, united by general habits and 
economy, alone appear to be separated. The circular succession 
* This beautiful species exhibits so strong a deviation from the Halcyonide in general, 
that it requires a separate station in the family: and I take this opportunity of charac- 
terizing the group as follows, under the generic title of 
TANYSIPTERA. 
Rostrum subbreve, subcrassum, rectum, acutum, naribus ovalibus. 
Cauda gradata, rectricibus duabus longissimis. 
DEA. T. superne intensó nigro-azurea, subtus alba; capite tectricibusque cæruleis : 
rectricibus albis ceruleo-marginatis, duabus mediis ceruleis apice clavato albo. 
Alcedo Dea. Linn. Syst. i. p. 181. 13. 
Ispida Ternatana. Briss. vol. iv. p. 595. t. 40. f. 2. 
Martin-Pécheur de Ternate. Buff. Pl. Enl. 116. 
The specimens of this species which are brought to Europe are generally deprived 
of their wings and legs. lam therefore prevented from referring to those members in 
my generic description. M. Pallas, it must be observed, asserts that the feet of this 
bird are zygodactyle, and as such he refers it at once to the genus Galbula. (Spic. 
Fasc. vi. p. 10. note b.) I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. MacLeay, the highly 
valued Secretary of this Society, for the above description, which I took from a speci- 
men of this rare bird in his valuable collection. ; 
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