﻿ALCYONE AFFINIS. 



(BATCHIAN KINGFISHER). 



Alcyone affinis Gray, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 348. 



„ „ ...... Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 354. 



Alcyone azurea Sehl. Vog. Ned. Ind. pp. 11, 47 pi. 3, (1864). 



A. torque pectorali nullo: abdomine rufo: rostro robustiore: supra betissime ultramarina. 

 Hab. in insulis " Batchian" et "Gilolo" dictis. 



Above brilliant ultramarice, brightest on the back; wing- coverts black washed with 

 ultramarine ; quills blackish, the inner web light rufous at the base, the outer web of the 

 secondaries narrowly edged with ultramarine ; a very small loral spot faint rufous ; throat 

 and a longitudinal patch of feathers along the sides of the neck whitish tinged with orange- 

 rufous, paler on the chin ; cheeks, ear-coverts, and a patch of feathers on the sides of the 

 upper part of the breast brilliant ultramarine ; under surface of the body rufous, with a 

 rich lilac lustre on the flanks ; feet red ; bill brownish black, towards the tip Avhitish. 

 Total length 6'7 inches, of bill from front 1*6, from gape 2*0, wing 3'85, tail 1*2, tarsus 

 0-3, middle toe 05, hind toe 0-25. 



Hab. Batchian, Gilolo {Wallace). 



This bird is easily distinguished from its congener Alcyone Lessoni, by its slightly 

 smaller size and by the brighter colour of the blue on the upper surface. The bill is 

 remarkably stout, as will be seen on reference to the plate. Several examples are in the 

 Leiden Museum from Batchian and Gilolo, and the description and figures are taken from a 

 specimen from the latter island in Mr. A. 11. Wallace's collection. 



