﻿from Timor. Professor Temminck states that it is an inhabitant of Sumatra, and the same 

 locality is assigned to it by Professor Schlegel, but not apparently on any good authority, 

 as the Leiden Catalogue does not enumerate a single specimen from that island. My belief 

 is, that it does not occur in the island of Sumatra at all, and I have no evidence of its 

 occurrence in any other part of Java except the eastern portion. It is a rare bird in 

 collections. 



Dr. tlorsfield has given us the following interesting details respecting its habits. 



" This bird is by no means uncommon in Java. I observed it chiefly in the interior, 

 in low situations ; but it is also found in the maritime districts. Its habits and manners 

 are those of the European Kingfisher. It darts in short rapid flights along the surface, 

 among rivulets and lakes, emitting as it moves shrill sounds in a high key. These sounds 

 are so strong and acute, that, when the bird is near, they strike the ear in an unpleasant 

 manner. It is not unfrequently seen perched on trees on the banks of rivulets. Its food 

 consists of small fishes and aquatic insects." 



A few more notes on its habits are found in Professor Schlegel's ' Catalogue ' from the 

 pert of Viscount de Bocarme, which I transcribe. 



" It is common enough along the creeks and at the mouths of the rivers, where it 

 skims over the water in its rapid flight, often precipitating itself headlong in pursuit of 

 little fishes. Its habits, in fact, are identical with those of the European Kingfisher." 



I am indebted to my friend Mr. Wallace for the following observations: — 



" This species is less of a forest bird than its ally A', meningting, being found chiefly in 

 the plains of East Java and Lombock on the banks of the river. It has very much the 

 habits of our own Kingfisher, and feeds, I believe, mainly on minute fish." 



1 have taken the description and measurements from a beautiful male bird, shot in 

 the neighbourhood of Sourabaya, Java, by my friend Mr. W. T. Fraser, and sent home by 

 him for my collection. From his bird the figure is also drawn. On examining the series 

 of birds sent to me by Mr. Fraser, I am inclined to believe that the blue breast-band is 

 gradually assumed, and that in very young birds it is absent. 



