24 COLLECTIONS PEOM MELANESIA. 



obsolete, and there is no difference between the two species excepting 

 the larger size and whiter under surface of D. leachii. 



The types of D. oeddmtalis from the Gould Collection are now 

 in the Museum ; and for the same reason that I dismissed the 

 barred outer tail-feather as a character for separating B. leachii from 

 B. cervinus, so I must refuse to consider it a mark of distinction 

 between D. cervinus and D. occidentalis. The nearly uniform colora- 

 tion of the under surface is a much more peculiar feature ; but in 

 the female there are some zigzag markings on the flanks. That this 

 uniform under surface is somewhat accidental is proved by the fact 

 that none of Dr. Elsey's specimens in the British Museum, procured 

 in the same locality as Mr. Gregory's birds, are entirely without 

 cross bars below. 



In the species from South-eastern New Guinea the appearance of 

 cross bars on the under surface seems to be the exception and not 

 the rule, the coUar round the hind neck being also perfectly uni- 

 form. As with the Australian species, the cross bars are a sign of 

 immaturity, being accompanied by a more uniform brown head. 



It would appear therefore, from a consideration of the above . 

 series, that not one of the characters employed for the separation of 

 these four Laughing Kingfishers is of permanent value. The barring 

 of the tail-feathers must be set aside, being m^erely dependent upon 

 age ; but taking D. cervinus as the central form or leading type of 

 the blue-tailed Jackasses of Australia, we find that eastwards (in 

 Queensland) it varies to the extent of becoming a larger bird, whiter 

 underneath, and always more or less barred on the under surface, 

 the throat included (D.-leachii). In the western part of its range the 

 bird has a tendency to become uniform underneath (B. occidentalis) ; 

 but this may be due to the bleaching effect of the climate, and it is 

 evident that D. intermediiis can only be looked upon as another pale 

 race, being led up to by the western specimens of Z>. cervinus. 



49, Halcyon sanctus (F. ^ H,). 

 Ramsay, t. e. p. 179. 



a,b. 5 . Thursday Island, Aug. 7, 18S1. 

 c. cJ . Thursday Island, July 1, 1881. 



50. Halcyon macleayi, J. Sf S. 

 Itamsay, <. c. p. 179. 



a. tj . Thursday Island, Aug. 1881. 



51. Halcyon sordidus (Gould). 

 Ramsay, t. c. p. 179. 



a. $ . Port Darwin, Nov. 1881. 



