TNSESSORES. 137 



Genus TANYSIPTERA, Vigors. 



The species of this genus are some of the most beautiful of 

 the AlccdinidcB ; for, independently of the pleasing contrasts 

 of their colourings of red, blue, and white, their lengthened 

 tail-plumes not oidy impart a peculiar elegance to their 

 appearance, but render them very conspicuous objects. 



The well-known Taiiysvptera Bea, the type of this form, is 

 a native of New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, where 

 several others are also found ; and we now know that one 

 species is a native of Australia. 



Sp. 68. TANYSIPTERA SYLVIA, Gould. 



White-tailed Kingfisher. 



Tanysiptera Sylvia, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc.^ part xviii.1850, p. 200. 

 Quatawur, of the Aborigines at Cape York. 



Tanysiptera Sylvia, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol.. Supplement, 

 pi. . 



Hitherto this species has only been found on the northern 

 coast, Cape York being the sole locality it is at present known 

 to inhabit; and where, judging from the numerous speci- 

 mens lately sent to this country, it appears to be by no means 

 scarce. 



As is the case with the Alcedinidce generally, the sexes 

 appear to present but little difference in size and colouring, 

 but the female may be distinguished from the male by being 

 somewhat less brilliant in colour and in the lesser development 

 of the central tail-feathers. 



Mr. Macgillivray informed me that " this pretty Tani/siptera 

 is rather plentiful in the neighbourhood of Cape York, where 

 it frequents the dense brushes, and is especially fond of 

 resorting to the small sunny openings in the woods, attracted 

 probably by the greater abundance of insect food found in 

 such places than elsewhere : I never saw it on the ground. 



