PLATE XII. 



GENUS ALCYONE (Swainson). 



rjlWQ species of the genus Alcyone inhabit Australia. 



ALCYONE AZUEEA (G. R Gray). 



AZURE KINGFISHER. 



THE Azure Kingfisher, a worthy representative of the Old World species, inhabits the whole of 

 Australia except the western portion. It is also found in Tasmania. 



It frequents trees on the borders of rivers and streams, from which it procures the small fish 

 and insects on which it subsists. 



It associates in pairs, and during the breeding season evinces great anger if approached, 

 fighting most savagely with birds considerably larger than itself. During the season of incubation, 

 which lasts from August to January, the eggs are laid in a hole in the bank of a stream, no nest 

 being constructed. Two broods are reared every year, from five to seven eggs being laid on each 

 occasion. They are ten and a half lines long, and nine lines broad, and in colour are fleshy- white. 



The head, upper surface, and two middle tail-feathers are bright blue, with an irregular patch 

 of brown on the shoulder ; outer tail-feathers, blackish-brown ; wings, blackish-brown, the tertiaries 

 margined with blue ; throat, buff'y-white ; under surface, brown ; line in front of the eye, yellowish- 

 buft ; irides, yellow ; bill, black ; legs and feet, yellow. 



Habitat : All parts of Australia, except Western Australia. 



ALCYONE PUSILLA. 



LITTLE KINGFISHER. 



THE north coast of Australia, and some of the adjacent islands, constitute the habitat of this 

 beautiful bird. 



It is exceedingly shy, and remains almost altogether among the dense mangroves which border 

 the streams. 



In general characteristics and habits it does not differ materially from its congener. 



The lores, a tuft behind the ear-coverts, and the under surface are white ; head, back, wings, 

 and tail, blue ; the secondaries margined with green ; irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, blackish-brown. 



Habitats : North coast of Australia and adjacent islands. 



