7 



Order II. PASSERES, Tribe II. Fissirostres Diurn;e, Family V. Alcedinid^:. 



The second Subfamily, 



HALCYONINiE, or Crab-hunters, 



have the Bill broad at the base, and gradually compressed towards the tip ; the lateral margins straight, 

 or turned upwards towards the end of the upper mandible ; the gonys lengthened, and gradually 

 ascending, or curved upwards to the tip of the lower mandible. 



Dacelo Leach.* 



Bill long, very broad, and elevated at the base, with the sides compressed, and the culmen straight 

 towards the tip, which is much compressed and slightly hooked ; the lateral margins curved up and 

 sinuated near the end; the gonys curved upwards to the tip of the lower mandible; the nostrils basal, 

 lateral, the opening small, longitudinal, and exposed. Wings moderate, with the first quill long, and 

 the third, fourth, and fifth nearly equal and longest. Tail moderate and rounded. Tarsi very short, 

 robust, and covered with small scales. Toes long and unequal ; the inner toe short, and united to the 

 middle as far as the first-joint; the outer long, and united to near the third joint ; the hind toe moderate ; 

 and all broadly padded beneath : the claws long, compressed, and curved. 



Most of the birds that compose this genus are found in Australia, but others have been discovered in New Guinea. 

 They are by no means shy birds, and are usually seen perched on the dead branches of trees, whether in the thinly 

 wooded forests or on those that are scattered on the arid plains. Their flight is noiseless and quick. They feed on 

 small quadrupeds, reptiles, insects, and crabs, and even chickens do not escape them ; and " it is not uncommon to see 

 these birds fly up with a long snake pending from their beak, the bird holding the reptile by the neck, just behind the 

 head ; but as the snake hangs down without motion, and appears dead, it is probable that the bird destroys them " by 

 means of its bill " upon the ground, before it conveys them into the tree." Mr. G. Bennett also informs us that these 

 birds possess a " peculiar gurgling laugh, commencing in a low and gradually rising to a high and loud tone, and are often 

 heard by the traveller, in all parts of the colony, sending forth their deafening noises whilst remaining perched upon the 

 lofty branch of a tree watching for prey : " and he further remarks that " it rises with the dawn, when the woods reecho 

 with its gurgling laugh ; at sunset it is again heard ; and as that glorious orb sinks in the west, a last ' good night ' is 

 given in its peculiar tones to all within hearing." It is in holes of trees that the females deposit their eggs, simply 

 laying them on the bare wood at the bottom of the cavity. 



* Established by Leach in 1815 {Zoological Miscellany). Paralcyon (1827) of M. Gloger and Choncalcyon (1831) of M. Lesson are 

 synonymous. It embraces Melidora of M. Lesson (1831). 



