﻿ALCYONE PULCHRA. 



(RESPLENDENT KINGFISHER). 



Alcyone pulchra, Gould. P.Z.S. 1840, p. 19. 



A. torque pectorali nullo : abdomine rufo : ro.stro tenuiore, longiore ; pileo haud fasciato : hypochondriia pul- 

 cherrime ultramarinis. 



Rah. in Australia, septentrionali. 



Above very brilliant ultramarine, a little deeper on the wing-coverts ; wing-coverts 

 brownish black, edged with ultramarine; wing -feathers brownish,- the inner web very light 

 rufous at the base, the secondaries externally edged with ultramarine ; tail deep blue above, 

 black underneath ; a small spot in front of the eye light rufous ; throat and a patch of 

 feathers along the sides of the neck white tinged with orange ; cheeks and ear-coverts 

 brilliant ultramarine ; sides of the body also brilliant ultramarine, extending on to the 

 flanks ; rest of the under surface of the body deep rich rufous, with a lilac lustre on the 

 abdomen and under tail-coverts ; bill deep black ; feet orange. Total length 6.5 inches, of 

 bill from front 1.95, from gape 2.2, wing 3.0, tail 1.3, tarsus 0.3, middle toe 0.5, hind 

 toe 0.2. 



Hub. Australia, Cape-York Peninsula (Mus. R. B. Sharpe) ; Victoria River and Port 

 Essington, N.W. Australia (Gould, EUey). 



This species is very distinct from Alcyone azurea, with which it has been united by Prince 

 Bonaparte and Mr. G. R. Gray, and may easily be distinguished by the intense ultramarine 

 colouring on the sides of the body. It is also a more slender bird and the colours are 

 brighter. 



The description and measurpments, and the plate are drawn from a fine specimen in my 

 collection from Cape York. This, as well as another specimen in my cabinet, shews a very 

 narrow blue margin to a few of the breast -feathers ; in one they are so distinct as nearl} 

 to form a pectoral band. 



Additional references. — Ala/one pulchra, Gray, Gen. of Birds, I. p. 82 (184(3) ; Gould, Intr. to Birds of 

 Austr. p. 31(1848); Keicli. Yog. Neuholl. p. 278 (18-50); id. Handb. AJeed. p. 7 (1851); Cass, Cat. Hale. Phil. 

 Mus. p. 5 (1852); Elsey, P.Z.S. 1857, p. 25; Gould, Handb. Birds of Austr. I. p. 141 (1805) ; Shaipe, Y.Z.8. 

 1809, p. 356; Gray, Handl. of B. p. 96 (1809). 



