﻿is not easily obtained. It frequents the dense scrubs and brushes, particularly the open 

 spots, and may generally be observed sitting on a creeper or dead branch watching for insects, 

 and uttering its peculiar cry, which is a harsh shrill whistle twice or thrice repeated, resem- 

 bling the syllables "wheet-wheet" at which time it raises its tail perpendicularly with a jerk. 

 Like many other species of Kingfisher, it has the peculiar habit of incubating in the 

 clay -built structures of the white ant, not being very particular whether the same be on a 

 tree or on the ground, but very frequently at the foot of a rotten stump, where these nests 

 often occur. A hole is made completely through from side to side, and a small excavation or 

 hollow in the middle serves for the reception of the eggs, no nest being made. The eggs 

 are three and sometimes four, in number, nearly round, and of a pure white. The newly- 

 fledged young make their appearance early in January, and do not acquire the long tail- 

 feathers until after the first moult." 



The description, measurements, and figures are taken from fine specimens procured in 

 Cape York by Messrs. Cockerell and Thorpe. 



