i6o THE MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS 



well been called nomadic. Among regular migrants 

 may be noted the dollar-bird (a roller, Eurystomus 

 pacificus), and the channel-bill {Scythrops novae- 

 hollandiae)^ a large cuckoo, which, according to 

 North, arrives in Queensland and New South Wales 

 in August or September, and departs with the com- 

 ing of cold weather in April. The sacred kingfisher 

 {Sauropatis sanctd) in New South Wales comes in 

 August and September, and, after breeding, departs 

 in March. A few remain throughout the winter, 

 and the migration of this species is not far, as it is 

 said to be resident in northern Queensland. The 

 spotted harrier (Circus assimilis) reaches New 

 South Wales in August and departs in February. 

 The slate-breasted rail {Rallus p. pectoralis) ap- 

 pears on the Adelaide Plains in August or Septem- 

 ber and leaves in November. Of greater interest 

 are the movements of the bee-eater (Cosmaerops 

 ornatus)^ of which two forms are known, an eastern 

 and a western, of which the last may be sedentary. 

 Though a few of the eastern subspecies may remain 

 throughout the year in the northern portions of 

 Australia, the majority migrate to New Guinea, 

 possibly to other islands, as they have been seen in 

 flight past Thursday Island, and at other points in 

 Torres Straits. Some are said to make a direct flight 

 to eastern New Guinea, without troubling to pass 

 north to the narrow pass at the end of the York 

 Peninsula. 



