CEYX AZUREA, (nobis). 

 A%ure three-toed Kings-fisher. 



PLATE LV. Fig. 1. 



C. supra, capitis lateribus colloque nitide cyaneis : subtus rufus, mento gulaque al- 

 bescentibus ; pedibus tridactyKs. 



Three-toed Kings-fisher, Lemhi, Birds of N. S. Wales, plate I. 



Azure Kings-fisher, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. viii. p. 61 . 



Tri-digitated Kings-fisher, Sham's Gen. Zool. vol. viii. part i. p. 105. 



Alcedo azurea, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp. xxxii. — Smainson, Zool. Illust. plate 26. 



1 he genus Ceyoc was formed by M. De Lacepede for the reception of 

 the three-toed Kings-fisher, Alcedo tridactyla, Linn-eus. This was then 

 the only species known to possess a difference in the structure of the feet, 

 and the genus was thrown out by our more modern ornithologists, as com- 

 posed of a solitary individual, and which did not possess other characters at 

 great variance from the true Alcedones. Since that period, however, several 

 other species have been discovered with tridactyle feet, and we think it 

 preferable to retain the Ceyoc of Lacepede for this group, than to add it 

 in the form of a section to the already numerous genus Alcedo. 



The Azure Kings-fisher has been already beautifully figured and well de- 

 scribed by Mr Swain-son ; but being anxious to illustrate a number of ge- 

 nera at as early a period as possible, we have given it now with the Alcedo 

 tridactyla of Linn, as types of the three-toed group. The total length of 

 our specimen is six inches and a quarter, differing from that described by 

 Mr Swainson by one inch. In this gentleman's plate, the bill is also fi- 

 gured as of a much greater length, and more slender : in other respects 

 they perfectly agree, and, with the exception of the dimensions, we have 

 transcribed his description, which corresponds with the bird before us. The 

 total length is six inches and a quarter ; the bill from the gape one inch and 

 a quarter, rather strong at the base, black, and with the tip pale yellowish- 

 white : " All the upper plumage, as well as the sides of the head, ears, and 

 a stripe beyond, fine ultramarine blue, more vivid on the rump and tail- 



