100 How to Sex Cage Birds. 



White-breasted Kingfisher {Halcyon smyrnensis). 



The bill of the female is considerably broader from the base to 

 the third fourth than in the male, and is noticeably shorter. I can 

 discover no constant difference in plumage. 



Sacred Kingfisher {Halcyon sancta). 



The bill of the female is slightly longer than that of the male, and 

 tapers more gradually. When viewed from above it is seen to be 

 not so full in the middle. This sex is altogether duller than the 

 male, more olive above and on the breast, which is of a pale brownish 

 rather than huffish tint ; the feathers retain the dusky fringes 

 characteristic of the young plumage. 



New Zealand Kingfisher (Halcyon vagans). 



A larger and duller representative of //. sancta. The female has 

 a much longer and more regularly tapering bill than the male, and a 

 much less vivid blue-green eyebrow streak. The breast feathers, 

 especially at the sides, are partly fringed with dark brown, but less 

 strongly than in young birds. 



Laughing Kincfisher (Dacelo gigas). 



The bill of the female is remarkably shorter than that of the 

 male, and is much broader at two-thirds from its base. I can 

 discover no constant difference of plumage. 



The allied Dacelo cervina and D. leachii, though both more 

 beautiful in colouring than the common Laughing Kingfisher (or 

 "Jackass," as it is frequently called), are rarely imported, so that it 

 is not necessary to do more than BUggest that anybody who wishes 

 to sex them should compare the length and outline of the bills. 



I do not propose to regard the Hornbills as cage-birds. They are 

 only suitable for large aviaries. 



EUROPEAN KINUFISHEK. 



