74 REPORT ON ZOOLOGY, MDCCCXLIII. 



to be occupied by both, Strickland has entered into an ample 

 discussion. (Ann. Nat. Hist, xii, p. 238.) 



Eroni external comparison of the two genera lie finds that they present a 

 closer relationship to each other than either of them do to any other group, 

 and that consequently they must be united into one and the same group, the 

 TJptrpiDJE. But it is then to be inquired, what place is to be assigned to these 

 Upupidse ? In Strickland's opinion tliis question cannot be accurately deter- 

 mined until we are in possession of more facts relating to the food, habits, 

 and anatomy of this group. It might, however, be supposed that it is allied 

 in one direction, through Epimacfius or Astrapia, with the PARADISEID^E ; 

 in another, through Merops, with the ALCEDINID.E; and in a third, through 

 Lamprornis, with the CORVIDJE. Thus is this excellent naturalist still in 

 the dark, unconscious all the while that Nitzch has long ago assigned its 

 settled systematic place to the " Hoopoe," as well as to the " Moqueur," in 

 doing which he certainly regarded more than the external appearance. But 

 in order to know this, an acquaintance with German labours is undoubtedly 

 requisite, which the greater part of English and French zoologists make it a 

 rule, or at least fiud it convenient, to'pass over. If Strickland had only even 

 referred to the Annual Reports in these Archives, he would not have entered 

 into the discussion of questions which have been long since, and definitively, 

 settled. 



". 

 As shown by S. Miiller and Schlcgel, all the Indian 



King-fishers, and also as it appears to them all the rest, as 

 regards their habits, localities., habits of life and food, fall 

 very naturally into three groups. (Verhaudel. Land-en 

 Volkenk. p. 175.) 



(a) True King-fishers (Alcedo), or those species which remain constantly 

 near water. To these belong the smallest but the most brilliantly coloured 

 species, (also the three-toed species,) which mostly live near the ground, 

 make their nests in holes in the earth, and feed principally on small fish. 

 (fj) Halcyon, with proportionably larger, especially thicker, and less angular 

 beak ; they are met with very irregularly, sometimes near water, then again 

 at a distance from it, in dry mountainous districts ; always, however, in more 

 or less open localities, not in dense forests, and still less on the ground in 

 dark situations, but, on the contrary, principally on trees of moderate height. 

 They utter a very loud cry, build then- nests in holes in trees, and their food 

 consists of locusts, ephemera, and, other insects, and in some cases, also of 

 small fish and crust area. To this subdivision belong Halcyon collaris, 

 .</, Ins, omnicolor, atrlcapillus, coi'ui,t</i/th'x, leucocephalus, &c. (c) Dacelo 

 differ still more in mode of life, form of beak, and plumage, from the true 



