HALCYON SENEGALOIDES. 



third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers longest, and nearly of the same length, 

 the second and sixth slightly shorter, the first about half an inch shorter than 

 the longest. Tail square or in the slightest degree rounded. Legs and toes 

 slender, the inner and hinder toes about half as long as the middle toe, the 

 latter rather longer than the outer toe, to which it is closely united as far as the 

 second joint. 



DIMENSIONS 



Indies. Lines. 

 Lengtli from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 4 



of the bill from the angle of 



the mouth 2 6 



of the wings when folded 4 3 



ofthetail 2 10 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe... 

 of the middle toe 

 of the inner toe... 

 of the hinder toe 



If ever it shall be satisfactorily established that locality is capable of modifying the colours or 

 size of animal beings, and of perpetuating those in all the individuals of the species within 

 a certain limit, then we shall find no difSculty in incorporating Halcycon Senegalensis {Alcedo 

 Seneffalensis, — Lin.) with the bird here described. Until it be shown, however, that climate has 

 that power, and until we are made acquainted with the groupes over which it possesses the in- 

 fluence, we are not disposed to admit the propriety of classing together any two beings which 

 are, as far as general appearances are concerned, very similar, yet which are constantly and 

 palpably different, in regard to certain points. We have, for instance, in Southern Africa, many 

 birds which are identically the same with others found in Sierra Leone, but in these we perceive 

 no marked differences, either in their colouring or proportions, that is, none greater than are found 

 to exist among the individuals of either locality viewed by themselves. In other cases, again, we 

 have birds in South Africa bearing a strong general resemblance to species which are inhabitants 

 of Western Africa, yet, at the same time presenting certain permanent peculiarities not essential 

 apparently either to the interests or well-being of the birds, and though trifling, they are never- 

 theless so manifest as to permit of their being made available characters for distinguishing the 

 birds of the one locality from those of the other. 



The general resemblance between our bird and H. Senee/alensis is striking ; the bill, how- 

 ever, of the former, is entirely red ; while, on the other hand, the lower mandible of the latter 

 is always black or brownish red ; the general colours of our bird are also much brighter ; the 

 size of the South African bird is greater, that of the bill much greater. 



Like the other known species of the groupe, H. Smegaloides, resorts to thickets, and feeds 

 upon insects, especially Crustacea and gryllce. 



