Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 207 



fuscuin, mandibulâ inferiori basi pallida. Lonoitudo cor- 

 poris, 7i; rostri ad frontem, 1^, ad rictiim, \\%; ahe a 

 carpo ad remigem secundam, 3i^ ; cauda, 2-^ ; tarsi, 4. 



If the several birds, which have been desci-ibed as varieties of 

 the Alcedo sacra of Gmelin, be actually found to belong to that 

 species, our bird may probably be added to the list. We have 

 however much doubt of their being mere varieties. In the spe- 

 cies of Kingsfishers which have been well ascertained, we find 

 little variation of plumage ; and we seldom observe such an 

 extensive geographical distribution among them as is assigned 

 to the Alcedo sacra. The various groups of this family more- 

 over approach so nearly to each other in their characters, 

 particularly in the distribution of their colours, that we need 

 not be surprised at finding that most of the Kingsfishers of 

 the islands of the Indian Ocean bear a general resemblance to 

 each other, so as to appear at first sight varieties of one species. 

 We have not materials sufficient in Europe to enable us to come 

 to any decision on this subject : that must be determined on the 

 spot. But with respect to our New Holland bird, we consider our- 

 selves justified in keeping it distinct from the sacred Kingsjisher, 

 until at least some strong grounds are advanced to prove it the 

 same. It ditfers both from Dr. Latham's and Gmelin's original 

 descriptions of Alcedo sacra, which were taken from a bird 

 belonging to the Friendly Islands, by having a conspicuous 

 collar round the neck ; by the under parts being yellowish- 

 white, varied with ferruginous and undulated with slight fuscous 

 fascia, instead of being pure white ; and by having a black 

 sti'eak running longitudinally before and behind the eye, with a 

 black collar margining the hind part of the head, and a conspi- 

 cuous white spot adjoining this collar on the occiput. The Alcedo 

 sacra, moreover, is described as being more than nine inches in 

 length, Gmelin making it nine and a half, while our bird scarcely 



exceeds 



