214 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Two specimens, described above, are all that we have seen, both of 

 which belong to the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. This 

 species is easily recognized, and is very handsomely figured by Mr. 

 Gould, in the Voyage of the "Sulphur, above cited. 



We regard it as by no means certain that the name Alcedo alhicilla, 

 Cuvier, is applicable to this species, though adopted by Prof Reichen- 

 bach. In " Etudes sur les Types peu connus du Musee de Paris," in 

 Guerin's Mag. de Zool. 1853, p. 38S, Dr. Pucheran states that ^. alU- 

 cilla is a distinct species, but in some respects resembling the present 

 bird. 



8. ToDiRAMPHUS SANCTUS, Vigors and Horsfield. 



Halcyon sancius, ViG. and HoRSF. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, XV, p. 206 (1825). 



Gould, B. of Aust. II, Plate XXI ; White, Voy. to New South 

 Wales, Plate, p. 193; Philips Voy. to Botany Bay, Plate, p. 156; 

 Reichenbach, VoUst. Naturg. Birds, Plate CCCCXVIII, figs. 3131, 32, 

 33. 



Form. — Smaller than either of the preceding. Bill having more dis- 

 tinct ridges in both mandibles, rather long ; ridge of the under man- 

 dible slightly ascending ; wing moderate ; second quill longest ; tail 

 moderate ; tarsi short. 



Dimensions. — Total length (of skin), about seven inches; wing, 

 three and a half to three and three-fourths inches ; tail, two and one- 

 fourth to two and a half inches. 



Colors. — Adult, from Australia. Head above, back, scapulars, and 

 lesser coverts of the wings, dull green, with a tinge of blue ; greater 

 coverts of the wings, outer webs of quills, rump, and tail above, light 

 blue ; a band from the eye to the occiput black, frequently with a 

 gloss of blue or green ; a partially concealed spot on the occiput, white, 

 (above the black band). Spot in front of the eye extending somewhat 

 into a superciliary line, band inclosing the neck and entire under 

 parts, buff or sienna, varying in shade in different specimens, generally 

 paler and nearly white on the throat and deeper on the flanks, abdo- 



