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120 BIRDS OF SOUTH APRICA: 
113. Hancyon cyanoneuca. Angola Kingfisher. 
Halcyon senegalensis, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 62. 
This Kingfisher has the upper mandible red and the lower one 
black, and although very nearly related to the following bird, it may 
be distinguished by the blue wash on the head, which is thalassine- 
blue, and by the black streak through the eye produced to the upper 
part of the ear-coverts. From H. malimbica both this species and 
H. senegalensis may be recognized by their blue scapulars. ; 
In the colony it is scarce: Mr. Atmore procured a specimen at the 
Knysna in splendid plumage, and Dr. Exton found it in Mosilikatze’s 
country, while Mr. Ayres has collected it at the mouth of Monocust 
river in the north-east of Natal. Mr. T. E. Buckley obtained specimens 
on the Limpopo in November, 1873, and writes as follows :—‘ Very 
common during our journey down in the summer, but not seen in the 
winter. It is rather a shy bird, and continually utters a monotonous 
whistle. I did not meet withthis species except on the Limpopo, 
where these birds are most conspicuous objects when on the wing.” 
Specimens from the Zambesi are in Lord Walden’s collection. 
The following note on the species in South Western Africa is 
given by Mr. Andersson:—“This species is very abundant in 
Ondonga. It generally perches on or near the summit of lofty trees, 
from whence it sends forth a succession of rather pleasant thrilling or — 
whirring notes.” Senor Anchieta has also procured it on the River 
Cunene, and Mr. Monteiro in Benguela. 
Above beautiful thalassine-blue, showing a sea-green tint in some 
lights, especially bright on the rump and outer edge of the second- 
aries; a white stripe from the base of the nostrils extending back- 
wards over the eye; feathers at the base of the bill, encircling the 
eye and extending backwards over the ear-coverts deep black ; wing- 
coverts jet black, outer wing-coverts thalassine-blue ; quills black, the 
inner web white at the base ; tail thalassine-blue above, beneath black ; 
throat and under wing-coverts pure white; rest of the under surface 
of the body greyish white, with small transverse cinereous vermicula- 
tions, and washed in some lights with thalassine lustre ; upper man- 
dible vermilion, lower mandible black; feet black. Total length, 
9 inches; of bill from front, 1:8; from gape, 2°3; wing, 4°4; tail, 
2°5; tarsus, 0-4; middle toe, 0°7; hind toe, 0°35. 
Fig. Sharpe, Monogr. Alced. pl. 69! 
