INSESSORES. 131 



branches of the myall- and gum-trees, somethnes on those 

 growing out on the hot plains, at others on those close by 

 the river-side. I succeeded in obtaining both old and young 

 birds, which, judging from the plumage of the latter, I should 

 suppose had left their breeding-place about a month before I 

 arrived in the neighbourhood of the Namoi, in December, I 

 also saw in this district the common or Sacred Kingfisher, 

 but in far less abundance than between the ranges and the 

 coast. This latter species may be hereafter found to be an 

 inhabitant of the country bordering the sea, while the Red- 

 backed Kingfisher may be exclusively a denizen of the 

 interior. The unusual colouring of the back at once distin- 

 guishes it from all the other members of the genus inhabiting 

 Australia, but in its general economy and mode of living it 

 presents no observable difference. 



Gilbert procured examples of this species during Dr. 

 Leichardt's overland expedition ; Captain Sturt found it at 

 the depot in South Australia, and I have received speci- 

 mens from the interior of Swan River ; consequently it has 

 a very wide range. 



Crown of the head dull green, intermingled with white, 

 giving it a striated appearance ; a broad black stripe com- 

 mences at the base of the bill, passes through the eye, and 

 encircles the back of the head ; upper part of the back and 

 scapularies green ; remainder of the wings bluish green ; 

 lower part of the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts red ; tail 

 green, tinged with blue ; throat, a broad collar encircling the 

 back of the neck, and all the under surface white ; bill black, 

 the base of the lower mandible flesh-white ; irides blackish 

 brown ; feet dark olive-brown. 



Since the above account of this species was published in 

 the folio edition, I have been informed by the late Mr. Elsey 

 that he saw the Red-backed Kingfisher on the Macarthur River, 

 about one hundred miles from the coast, in lat. 26° 15' S. 

 Two eggs in my collection are very round in form, and of 



JV <w 



