122 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS 



SACRED KINGFISHER 



(Wood Kingfisher), 



Halcyon sauctus, Tig. and Hors. 



Hal'si-on sangk'lus. 



Hals, the sea ; Iniein, to breed ; sanctus, sacred. 



Halcyon sanctus, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., pi. 21. 



Geographical Distribution. — Over the whole of the continent, 

 and occasionally in Tasmania. 



Key to the Species. — Head greenish blue ; upper surface varying 

 between dull green and blue ; under surface of body and under 

 wing coverts orange-buff, as also the collar ; bill compressed, 

 culmen grooved laterally. 



Like the Red-backed Kingfishei*, the Sacred is not 

 piscatorial in its ways. Far from it ! because of all birds, 

 even those of the desert, it is able to live away from water 

 for months, and live upon lizards, small snakes, beetles, 

 grasshoppers, and sundries. The isolation of the bird is 

 remarkable. In Central Australia and in nearly all the 

 coastal arid parts it may be seen, provided a clump of dry- 

 looking " gums " is there. Within Victoria it proves 

 migratory as the winter advances, though this does not 

 apply to the warmer districts ^ust north of it. It is 

 essentially a hot weather bird. 



The cry is penetrative, being clear and sharp. If when 

 you are passing through timbered lands you find the 

 Halcyon vocally active you will know that it has a nest 

 very near in a hollow of a tree. In all probability the 

 mate is sitting upon the eggs, from which you will not 

 easily get it away, as this species is very persistent in its 

 own way. Halcyons are helpful to agriculturists. The 

 task of raising the family commences in October and 

 concludes with a second brood in December. 



