HALCYON PYREHOPYGIA. 



(Red-hached Kingfisher.) 



Ceowi^ of the head, dull green, striated with white ; a stripe from the base of the bill, which encircles the eye, and is continued round the 

 back of the neck, black ; throat, spot beneath the eye, collar round the neck, and all the under surface, white, the latter sometimes washed 

 with buff; upper part of back, dark green; scapularies, the same, intermingled with a few white streaks; wings, bluish green; secondaries, 

 tipped with white ; tail, bluish green ; middle of the back, white, followed by chestnut on the lower portion and tail coverts ; upper mandible, 

 black ; under mandible, fleshy white, tipped with black ; irides, blackish brown ; feet, dark grey. 



Length, 8i inches ; wing, 4 ; tail, 2i ; bill. If ; tarsus, |. 



This species is very rare in some localities, and rather plentiful in others, and seems to be more confined to the interior portions 

 of Australia, having a wide range from the east to the west. Like its congener, H. M'Leayi, it may be found at long distances from water, 

 but at other times watching for its prey on the banks of rivers and creeks, generally selecting a dead branch on which to perch. It differs 

 considerably in size, some specimens being much larger than others. The measurements as above were taken from a beautiful specimen shot 

 at Oxley Creek, near Brisbane, in 18G4, which is now in Mr. "Waller's collection. With this exception, there is no record of its having been 

 found on the eastern waters. 



HALCYON SORDIDUS. 



(Sordid Kingfisher.) 



Head, back, scapularies, wing coverts, and upper portion of wings, brownish oil green ; quills, greenish blue ; tertiaries, verditer blue on the 

 outer webs, blending with oil green on the inner; a small patch at the base of the upper mandible ; collar round the back of the neck and 

 all the under surface, buffy white ; tail, greenish blue, appearing distinctly barred in certain lights ; upper tail coverts, bright verditer blue ; 

 upper mandible, black ; lower mandible, flesh color, tipped with black ; irides, black. 



Length, 9^ inches ; wing,- 4 ; tail, 2| ; bill, 2i ; tarsus, |. 



This species of Kingfisher seems to be confined to the northern portion of the east coast. It is not uncommon in the neigh- 

 borhood of Brisbane, where it has been obtained among the mangroves of Moreton Bay ; it is also plentiful as we proceed northwards. Its 

 true habitat is mangrove swamps and inlets of the sea ; and its food consists of small Crustacea, the fry of fish, and marine insects. 



