tural arrangement of animals under the present elevated views 

 of the philosophic zoologist, with whom the study of Nature con- 

 sists no longer in the study of words, the retention of names, or 

 even the accurate description of species. 



These considerations have induced me to form these birds into 

 two genera, the definitions of which are now given : those re- 

 tained under the old genus of Alcedo appear to be scattered 

 (though sparingly) in every part of the old and the new world. 

 Their bills seem formed for swallowing their food more in an en- 

 tire state, similar to the Herons. In each of these genera one 

 species exists with only three toes, a remarkable circumstance, 

 which in an artificial system w^ould endanger their being united 

 in a separate genus ; but which, from the remarkable smallness 

 of the inner toe in all the other species, cannot I apprehend point 

 out any peculiarity either in their habit or economy : and this 

 opinion I find is likewise entertained by Professor Temminck. 



Total length seven inches and a quarter. Bill from the gape 

 two inches one line, the upper mandible rather longest, and both 

 with a slight appearance of a notch ; the colour black. All the 

 upper plumage, as well as the sides of the head, ears, and stripe 

 beyond, fine ultramarine blue, more vivid on the rump and tail- 

 covers, and duller on the tail, wing-covers, and lesser quill-mar- 

 gins ; front blackish ; from the uostrils to the eye a whitish line, 

 and from the ears on each side the neck a whitish stripe, which 

 almost forms a collar round the nape. Quill-feathers sooty black. 

 All the under parts orange ferrugineous ; throat and belly nearly 

 white. Tail very short, nearly hid by the upper covers. Feet 

 red, claws black. The inner fore-toe wanting, but a slight ru- 

 diment of it exists in my specimen. 



Since writing the above, I find this bird is figured and de- 

 scribed in a beautiful work commenced by Lewin on the birds 

 of New Holland, M'hich Mr. Brown, the learned possessor of the 

 Banksian library, pointed out to me. I believe but a ie\\ copies 

 are known. Lewin observes, " it inhabits heads of rivers, visit- 

 ing dead trees, from the branches of which it darts on its prey in 

 the water beneath, and is sometimes completely immersed by 

 the velocity of its descent." 



Dr. Latham has very M-ell described it, but quite overlooked 

 the constmction of the feet. 



