142 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



brownish black ; lores, tuft beliind the ear, and throat buff; 

 under surface deep ferruginous orange; sides of the chest 

 fine purphsh blue, passing into a rich vinous tint on the 

 flanks ; irides and bill black ; feet orange. 

 Inhabits the north coast of Australia. 



Sp. 72. ALCYONE PUSILLA. 



Little Kingfisher. 



Ceyx pusilla, Temm. PI. Col., 595. fig. 3. 



Nu-1'ea -bin-mo, Aborigines of the Cobourg Peninsula. 



Alcyone pusilla, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 26. 



This lovely little Kingfisher is a native of the northern 

 portions of Australia ; the specimens in my collection were all 

 procured at Port Essington, where it is a rare bird ; and from 

 its always inhabiting the densest mangroves, is not only seldom 

 seen, but is extremely difficult to procure ; in general habits 

 and manners it very much resembles the Alcyoiie azurea, but 

 its note is somewhat more shrill and piping, and its flight 

 more unsteady. Specimens of this species from New Guinea, 

 which I have had opportunities of examining in the noble 

 collection at Ley den, present no difference whatever from 

 those found in Australia. 



The food of the Alcyone pusilla consists of small fish, which 

 are taken precisely after the manner of the Common King- 

 fisher of our own island. 



The sexes are alike in size and colour. 

 Lores, a tuft behind the ear-coverts and under surface silky 

 white ; forehead, sides of the neck, wing-coverts and the 

 margins of the secondaries green ; primaries brownish black ; 

 all the upper surface and a large patch on each side on the 

 chest brilliant intense blue ; tail dull deep blue ; irides dark 

 blackish brown ; bill black ; legs and feet greenish grey. 



