ALCEDO BIRU. 



the genus into two sections, founded on certain differences which exist in the form 

 of the bill. After continued inquiries, and the examination of subjects from other 

 parts of the world, I can now state with confidence, that the characters of each of 

 these sections are sufficiently marked and permanent to sanction a separation into 

 two distinct genera, the peculiarities of which I shall now enumerate. 



In the first the biU is very long, slender, gradually attenuated to a sharp point, 

 compressed to such a degree that the height considerably exceeds the breadth, 

 having both mandibles carinated, and marked with longitudinal grooves, and the 

 cutting edges, or tomia, slightly bent inwards. The Alcedo Ispida furnishes a 

 sample of this genus. In the second the bill is of a light consistence, greatly 

 distended, broad at the base, and gradually tapering towards the extremity, which 

 is moderately compressed. The upper mandible is even, or very slightly grooved 

 from the nostrils to the point ; the back, or culmen, is rounded, not prominent or 

 keeled, and the extremity of the upper mandible forms a cavity for the reception of 

 the lower: the latter is depressed at the base, swelled towards the middle, then 

 gradually attenuated to a point, which is acute, and somewhat smaller than the 

 upper. The cutting edges, tomia, are sharp; those of the upper mandible are 

 slightly curved, while those of the lower are straight : near the tip the upper man- 

 dible is shghtly bent downwards, while the lower inclines upwards in a smaU degree. 

 The Alcedo sacra furnishes a sample of this genus. 



Besides these, a third natural division of Alcedo, as it was defined by the earher 

 Ornithologists, is afforded by the Gigantic Kingsfisher of New Holland. For 

 this the name Dacelo was proposed by Dr. Leach, and it has received the sanction 

 of the celebrated Temminck, in the " Analyse du Systeme general d'Ornithologie," 

 prefixed to the Second Edition of his Manuel. The bill in this genus does not 

 exceed the head in length, and it is stronger and more dilated than the bill of the 

 individuals belonging to the second genus. The cutting edges, towards the extre- 

 mity, take a bold curve upwards, and are deeply cut out ; the tip is greatly length- 

 ened, and terminated by a small notch. The lower mandible is considerably swelled; 

 the margin is not straight, but curved upwards, to meet the curve of the upper 

 mandible. A new species, the Dacelo pulcheUa, described in the Second Number 

 of these Researches, has lately been added to this genus from Java. 



The propriety of these vicAvs, as far as regards the division of Alcedo, of the 



earlier Ornithologists into two genera, is confirmed by the Author of the Zoolo- 



f gical Illustrations, William Swainson, Esq. In the Fifth Number of this work, the 



second genus is described with the name of Halcyon, while Alcedo is applied to 



