﻿1. D. occidentalis. 



2. B. cervina. 



In the present species the outer web is very distinctly barred, while hiD. cervina it is 

 entirely unbarred. I should mention, however, that in the British Museum there are 

 specimens of a Dacelo from Port Essington, which have the outer rectrix barred with 

 white, and which ought for that reason to be referred to D. occidentals, but the bars are not 

 nearly so distinct as in the figure of the type- specimen given above, and as therefore we 

 find that, as represented in the above wood-cut, the bars on the inner web of the outer 

 rectrix in D. cervina are apparently gradually assumed, we cannot place too much reliance 

 on the character of the tail, without further evidence before us. We are compelled at 

 least to believe that D. occidentalis ranges as far as Port Essington, where it inosculates with 

 D. cervina, which, on the other hand, takes its place from Port Essington to Cape York. 

 The chief difference between the two species is therefore to be found in the huge bill ot 

 the Western form. The type-specimens are apparently very old birds as the plumage 

 generally is much worn and bleached. The description given above is taken from the 

 original types, which were kindly placed in my hands by Mr. Gould,, and a good represen- 

 tation of them will be found in the accompanying plate. 



Having recently visited Leiden I found in the splendid collection of birds in the 

 Museum there several specimens of a Dacelo from Port Albany apparently referable to the 

 present species. After examining these I feel more sceptical as to the distinctness of 

 D. occidentals from D. Leachi, since in several of the specimens at Leiden, there were 

 traces of markings on the breast, and the tail-feathers were similar. Unfortunately I 

 had not at hand a sufficient number of specimens of D. Leachi for comparison, but it will 

 be necessary to subject a series of each to a rigid examination before finally deciding on 

 their specific separation. From Dacelo cemina I am satisfied that the present species is 

 distinct- 



