80 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Sub-Order — Halcyones. 



FAMILY— ALCEDIN I D.^ (2 species). 

 Sub- Family — Alcedininae. 



*BLUE KINGFISHEE 



{^Alcyone azurea, Lath.) 



Male. — Head and upper surface bright blue; line in front of 

 the eyes yello wish-buff ; tail feathers blackish-brown; wings black- 

 ish-brown, with a little blue on the tertiaries ; throat buffy-white ; 

 rest of under surface rufous ; sides of breast washed with lilac ; bill 

 black ; legs and feet yellow-brown. Dimensions in mm. : — Length, 

 183; bill, 49; wing, 79; tail, 33; tarsus, 10. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Young. — " Similar to adult, but not so brilliant blue, the 

 shoulders and lateral breast patch black, only slightly washed with 

 blue; the neck stripe orange-buff; head blackish, banded with 

 blue" (B. M. Cat.) 



Nest. — A tunnel drilled into the side of a bank of a creek or 

 river, and a cavity hollowed out to receive the eggs. 



Eggs. — Clutch five to seven; round in shape, with one end com- 

 pressed ; texture fine ; surface glossy ; colour pearly-white. Dimen- 

 sions in mm. of a small clutch:— (1) 24 x 19, (2) 23 x 18.5, (3) 

 24 X 18. 



Breeding Season. — October to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- 

 toria, South Australia, and Queensland. 



Observations. — I have seen and have records of this scarce 

 Kingfisher from various parts of the island. Owing to its retiring 

 habits it is but seldom seen by the casual observer, even about the 

 rivers it haunts. 



Duck Eiver was once a favourite resort, but now, so I am 

 informed on good authority, the species is as rare there as else- 

 where. 



* SACRED IvINGFISHER 



(Halcyon sanctus, Vig. and Horsf.) 



Male. — Head greenish-blue outlined from each side of the gape 

 with blackish-green; back and wings, except primary feathers, dull 

 green; primaries blackish-green, margined externally with dull 

 green ; tail bluish-green ; collar and whole of under surface buffy- 

 white. Dimensions in mm.: — Length, 210; bill, 47; wing, 95; 

 tail, 63; tarsus, 14. 



Fetnale. — Similar in plumage to male. 



Young. — According to Gould, the young have the back more 



