19 



and the barrings larger and more distinct on the lower part of the 

 body, wings and tail ; all the under surface sandy red, crossed by 

 numerous bars of reddish brown ; the feathers of the throat with a 

 line of brown down the centre ; vent, legs and thighs of a paJer tint, 

 with the bars more numerous, but not so decided ; bill horn-colour ; 

 toes yelloAvish, slightly clothed ■vvith feathers. 



Totai length, 20 inches ; bill, 1| ; wing, 13i ; tail, 9^ ; tarsi. 24. 



Hab. Port Essington. 



Remark. — A very powerful species, nearly allied to Athene strenua. 



Alcyone pulchra. Ale. omni corpore superiore splendide purpu- 

 rasceiite-cyaneo ; alis fusco-nigris ; loris, cristuld post aurem, et 

 guld, stramineis ; lateribus pectoris purpurascente-cyaneis, in vini 

 colorem ad latera mergentibus. 

 All the upper surface shining purplish blue ; wings brownish black ; 

 lores, tuft behind the ear and throat bufF; under surface deep fer- 

 ruginous orange ; sides of the chest fine purplish blue, passing into a 

 rich vinous tint on the flanks ; irides and bill black ; feet orange. 

 Totai length, 6 inches^ bill, 2; wing, 2J; tail, l^; tarsi, |. 

 Hab. Port Essington. 



Remark. — This is by far the finest of the Australian Alcyones, and 

 is at once distinguished by the rich blue of the upper surface and the 

 beautiful vinous colouring of the flanks. 



Alcyone Diemenensis. Ale. omni superiore corpore intense cyaneo, 

 ad uropygium et tectrices cauda superiores splendidius ; alis nigris 

 cyaneo lavatis ,• guld stramined ; vertice nigro indistincte fasciaio. 



All the upper surface deep blue, becoming more vivid on the rump 

 and upper tail-coverts ; wings black, washed with blue ; throat buff; 

 under surface of the body and wings ferruginous orange ; on each side 

 of the cliest a patch of bluish black ; iores and a small patch behind 

 the ears bufF ; crown of the head indistinctly barred with black ; 

 irides and bill black ; feet orange. 



Totai length, &^ inches ; bill, 2 ; wing, 3| ; tail, If ; tarsi, ^. 



Hab. Van Diemen's Land. 



Remark. — Rather more robust than Alcyone aznrea or A. pulchra, 

 and diflFering from both in the blue of the upper surface, which is less 

 brilliant and of a slight greenish tinge. 



EopsALTRiA LEucoGASTER. JESps. porvo Mūculo triangulūri ante 

 oculum nigro; vertice, corpore superiore, alis cauddque, saturate 

 gr išeis ; corpore inferiore albo. 



Immediately before the eye a small triangular-shaped spot of black ; 

 above the eye a faint line of greyish white ; crown of the head, all 

 the upper surface, wings and tail dark slate-grey ; the lateral tail- 

 feathers largely tipped with white on their inner webs ; all tbe under 

 surface white ; irides dark brown ; bill and feet black. 



Totai length, 5| inches ; bill, \^ ; wing, 3 ; tail, 2| ; tarsi, |. 



Hab. Westem Australia. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Strepeea abguta. Strep. toto corpore nigro ; remigum apicibus 



