36 ALCEDINIDiE. 



Family ALCEDINID^. 



Genus DACELO, Leach. 



3-* DACELO GIGAS, Bodd. 



Great Bro'wn KingfLsher. 

 Goidd, Handhk. Bds. AusL, Vol. i., sp. .60, p. 122. iZT. / 



This well known bird deposits its eggs on the decaying wood in 

 a hollow branch or hole in a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. Eggs 

 three or four in number for a sitting, of a beautiful pearly- white. 

 Dimensions of a set taken at Cardington, on the Bell River, New 

 South Wales, in October, 1860. Length (A) 1-68 x 1-4 inch ; 

 (B) 1'72 X 1-41 inch; (C) 1-8 x 1-45 inch; (D) 1-72 x 1-4 inch. 



On one occasion, on Ash Island, a nest of this species was found 

 formed in the side of a clump of Stag-horn fern. 



When the young birds are fully fledged they crowd to the entrance 

 of the aperture, in their eagerness to obtain the coveted morsel, 

 which the parent bird procures for them, usually a lizarfl or field 

 mouse, and their united and incessant clamourings for the same 

 can be heard a considerable distance away. 



This species breeds during the months of August, September, 

 and October. 



Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence 

 Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South 

 Australia. {Bamsay.) 



h. DACELO LEACHII, Vigors and Eorsfield. 



Leaoh's Kingfisher. 

 Gould, Hcmdhk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 61, p. 124. X3Z ?. 



" This species takes the place in the North of D. gigaa in the 

 South. Eggs four in number for a sitting, placed in a hollow 

 bough, or at the end of tunnels excavated in the nest of the 

 Termites. Colour of a pure pearly- white. Length (A) 1-72 x 1-3 

 inch, oval in shape ; (B) 1-6 x 1-34, rather round." 



