198 HALCYONID.E. 



the same colour is continued along the sides of the neck. 

 The tip of each of the feathers upon the head and wing- 

 coverts has a metallic blue spot on the extremity of the 

 shaft, which adds to the splendour of the feathering. 



The chin and throat are pure white, and a band of the 

 same colour extends backwards from the ear towards the 

 nape of the neck. Between the upper mandible and the 

 eye is a rich chestnut spot, continued below the eye as far as 

 the ear ; this chestnut band is interrupted by a small white 

 spot before the eye, and a line of small close-set bristles, 

 round from the nostril below the eyelid as far as the lore 

 behind the eye. The corner of the mouth on the under 

 mandible is bright red lead, and the short broad tongue is 

 of the same colour. The breast and all the under parts, 

 including the under tail-coverts, are orange chestnut. The 

 back, rump, and upper tail-coverts are perfect mineral blue, 

 which changes colour according to the light. The tail 

 feathers are Prussian-blue with dusky shafts. The shafts 

 and all the inner webs of the quill-feathers being dusky with 

 paler edges, give rise to the supposition of their having cop- 

 per or gold tints reflected. 



The outlines figured 39, represent the head and foot of 

 the Kingfisher in the natural size. The egg No. 39, also 

 belongs to this species. 



