71 



altliougli yards distant from its stand-point ; often it may be noticed perched 

 on a small fragment of rock by the rand-flats of the harbour, certainly at a less 

 elevation than one foot from the surrounding level surface, at several yards 

 distance it has seen some small Crustacece moving, in an instant the dash is 

 made, the prey captured, and, very often, the smne stone occupied. This 

 sudden feat is performed re2:)eatedly within half an hour ; it shows how 

 admirably the structure of the bird must be adapted for bearing the very 

 severe strain to which certain parts of its frame must be exposed during this 

 tiying evolution ; in commencing its swift dart it may derive some assistance 

 from its perch by using it as a fulcrum, with its long spear-like bill carried 

 straight, it shoots to its mark, cleaving the air like a winged wedge ; nor is 

 there any perceptible motion of the wings till the prey is secured ; with a 

 sudden twist, a few rapid strokes of the wing, and the return is accomplished. 

 Although it appears so difficult to effect, yet in the great majoiity of cases its 

 retiirn is made by a very sharp curve, rather than by a gentle sweep, extending 

 its flight to some more convenient per3h. 



Its power of vision may be judged of by the following note, entered at the 

 time: — May 10. — Noticed a Kingfisher flying higher than usual, almost in a 

 straight line, apparently making for a dead tree across our little bay ; when 

 out over a hundred yards, it suddenly and rapidly turned in its course, 

 retracing its line to the starting point (a large Eucalyptus) ; when perched, 

 observed it busy with a large insect which it had secured. This feat appeared 

 rather that of a Merops than that of the bird we call a Kingfisher. 



Par inland, the bird is comparatively rare ; we have not observed its 

 breeding-place at any considerable distance from the coast line. Its song of 

 courtship is a harsh, scraping, clashing sound, most \inmusical. 



It has been mentioned before that it is a creature of habit ; this is borne 

 out by observing its favourite roosting places ; the same trees are occupied, 

 although the birds have been repeatedly distui-bed at night by the glare of a 

 lanthorn ; the soil below is whitened with the liquid foeces ; castings also 

 abound there. The hillside bush is not unfrequently sought for a breeding 

 place. 



No. B. -7. — Halcyon cinnamominus, Swain. 



"We have never enjoyed the opportunity of observing a specimen of this 

 member of the Alcedinidce, but in the interests of ornithology feel bound to 

 mention communications received from two friends of the writer, living far 

 apart, who are in the constant habit of observing, noting and collecting speci- 

 mens of natural history. 



Mr. E., — noticed a brown or dun-coloured bird at Akaroa, in 1861, in 

 which locality Kingfishers are more or less abundant ; at a later period he 



