HALCYON MACLEAYII, nobis. 

 Macleays Halcyon. 



PLATE CI. 



H. capite, dorso, secimdariis caudaque coerideis ; genis auriculis, remigibus et apice cau- 

 dae nigris ; ab oculis ad nares ochraceo-albis, torque nuchali et corpore toto sub- 

 tus, albis ; rostro nigro, maxilla, basi alba. 



1 his beautiful species, with some of the subjects on our following Plates, 

 have lately been added to the collection of the Linnean Society by the zeal 

 and industry of Alexander Macleay, Esq. who, though advanced in 

 years, and far distant, remains still indefatigable in promoting the welfare 

 of the Society where he so long and faithfully performed the duties of Se- 

 cretary. 



In size, and distribution of colour, it much resembles Halcyon sanctus, 

 but differs in the very rich deep tint of the blue. The following is nearly 

 a description of the specimen from which we took our drawing. The 

 length, including the bill, is seven inches and three quarters : that of the 

 bill nearly two inches, it is black, with the lower part of the base of the 

 under mandible white : the crown and occiput rich Prussian blue, on the 

 forehead considerably tinged with black ; between the nostrils and the 

 eyes a yellowish- white spot ; under the eyes forming the upper part of the 

 auriculars, and a narrow band surrounding the blue of the hind head, deep 

 black. The under parts are pure white, slightly tinged with ochraceous 

 on the throat and cheeks, forming a broad nuchal band, as in Halcyon 

 sanctus, which, in the centre of the back part, has the feathers slightly 

 tipped with the rich Prussian blue of the head. The remaining upper 

 parts are also rich Prussian blue, varying in some lights to a paler tinge, 

 and on the back and rump with a greenish ultramarine shade : the secon- 



