134 



amongst the branches of the sfum-trees along the creeks. At early 

 morning and about sunset theirdual notes revealed their presence. 

 The natives of three different tribes call this bird the " Book 

 Book."] 



No. 14. Halcyon sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher). 



Halcyon sanctus, Vig. and Horsf., Trans. Li tin. Soc, vol. XV.,, 

 p. 206 (1826); Gould, Bds. Austr., foL, vol. II., pi. 21 (1848); 

 Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., vol. L, 2nd series, p. I,0tf6 

 (1886); North, Nests and Eggs, Austr. Bds., p. 37 (1889); 

 Sharpe, Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol. XV II., pp. 267, 500 (1892). 



One adult male, two immature males. Camp about five miles 

 from the junction of the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers. Similar 

 to examples from Eastern Australia. Wing of adult male 36 

 inches. 



A set of three eggs, taken from a hollow limb about SO feet 

 from the ground in January, 1897, are nearly round, pure' white, 

 and lustreless. They are slightly smaller than examples taken 

 in New South Wales, and measure as follows : — (A) 0'98 x 0*85 

 inch ; (B) 0-97 x 0-81 inch; (C) 0-98 x 0-83 inch. 



[Numbers of these birds were seen in the timbered country 

 around the telegraph station at Fitzroy Rivor, and all along the 

 course of that stream. Their notes were not only totally different 

 from those of the same species found in other parts of the Conti- 

 nent, but the birds and their eggs were so much smaller as to 

 suggest the possibility of a different species. During December 

 and January a number of their nests were found in the hollow 

 branches of the trees near the river. Four eggs constitute the 

 clutch.] 



No. 15. Halcyon pyrrhopygius (Red-rumped Kingfisher). 



Halcyon pyrrhopygia, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1840), p. 113; 

 id., Bds. Austr., fol. vol., IL, pi. 22 (1848) ; Sturt, Exped. Centr. 

 Austr., vol. IL, App., p. 20 (1849) ; Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. 

 N.S.W., vol. L, 2nd. series, p. 1,086 (1886). 



Halcyon pyrrhopygms. North, Nests and Eggs, Austr. Bds., 

 p. 38 (1889) ; Sharpe, Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., vol XVIL, p. 258 

 (1892) ; North and Keartl,, Horn Sci. Exped. Cent. Austr., part 

 II, ZooL, p. 66 (1896). 



One adult female. Camp about five miles from the junction^ 

 of the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers. This species is found all 

 over the dry inland portions of Australia. 



[The first specimen was obtained near Cue. Subsequently they 

 were found wherever suitable shelter existed until we reached- 

 the Fitzroy River, where others were shot. They are not 

 numerous in the North.] 



