﻿CEYX 



PHILIPPINENSIS. 



(PHILIPPINE KINGFISHER.) 



Ceyx philippinensis, .... Gould, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 404. 



C rostro nigro, longiori : capite eyaneo fasciato : gula rufescente : pectore et abdomine intense- rufis : pectoris 

 lateribus intense lazulino lavatis. 



Hab. in insulis Philippinis. 



Head and nape bright indigo, thickly banded with irregular markings of bright cobalt ; 

 back very bright shining cobalt, inclining to ultramarine on the rump; scapularies and 

 wing-coverts black, washed with bright indigo, the latter also spotted with cobalt ; wing- 

 feathers blackish, the secondaries narrowly edged with itidigo ; throat whitish, tinged with 

 rufous ; a patch of feathers on the side of the neck pure white, tinged with rufous on the 

 outer edge; a spot in front of the eye, and the entire under- surface as well as the under 

 wing- coverts deep rufous, the lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts slightly 

 tinged with indigo ; shoulders, and a spot on each side of the upper part of the breast, 

 shining lazuli-blue; upper mandible brownish black, lower mandible pale orange; feet 

 orange. Total length 5.5 inches, of bill from front 1.3, from gape 1.7, wing 2.3, tail 1.1, 

 tarsus 0.3, middle toe 0.5, hind toe 0.2. 



Hab. Luzon: Manilla (mus. J. Gould.) 



This species, which was characterized as new by Mr. Gould at a Meeting of the Zoolo- 

 gical Society on June 28th, 1868, is certainly very closely allied to Alcyone cyanopectus, from 

 which, however, it may at once be distinguished by the deep chesnut-red colour of the 

 under parts, and by the want of the distinct blue pectoral band which characterizes the 

 latter species. The whole tone of the plumage also is brighter, and it very much resembles 

 at first sight Alceclo moluccensis, from the style of plumage. It is, however, a typical 

 Ceyx in form. 



The figure in the plate is taken from the type specimen, as also are the description and 

 measurements. Mr. Gould received it from Manilla, and after describing it, he very kindly 

 placed it at my disposal for the present work. 



