OHM'S TODIRIIAMPHUS (Lesson). 



"I I KMlll ; .l!S of this genus are Pound in Asia and Australia, and in most of the islands between 

 1*1 these continents. 



TOD I RI I A M PI I US SANCTUS (JBonap.j 



SA CRED KINi ) FISH EL'. 



I T seems somewhat of a misnomer to eall this bird a kingfisher, since it not only does not plunge 

 J. int.. the water to capture fish, hut is even found in dry and arid places where it cannot 

 obtain water, from which it would appear that it can exist without drinking. 



It inhabits most parts of Australia, but is not seen in Tasmania. In the southern portion 

 of thr continent it is merely a summer visitant. 



The food consists of almost every kind of insect, as well as of small snakes and crustaceous 

 Bsh. While perched on a hough of a tree it utters frequently a loud and dolorous cry. 



During the months oi October, November, and December, four or five eggs are laid in the 

 hollow in the bole of a tree, the Angophora (apple-tree), being most often chosen. The eggs are 

 fleshy white in colour, and are one inch and one line long by ten lines broad. 



The crown of the head, back and scapularies, are dark green ; wings and tail, bluish-green ; 

 ear-coverts and a line round the head, black ; forehead, line over the eye, collar round the neck, and 

 under surface, light huff"; irides, dark brown; bill, black, the basal portion of the lower mandible, 

 flesh-colour ; legs and feet, brown. 



Habitat: The whole of Australia. 



TODIEHAMPHUS PYBEHOPYGIUS (Gould). 



RED-BACKED KINGFISHER. 



THE present species inhabits most parts of the interior of Australia, brushes in the vicinity of water 

 being most frequented. 



In habits and mode of nidification it does not differ from the Sacred Kingfisher, but the eggs are 

 smaller and rounder, being one inch long, by ten and a-half lines broad. 



The crown of the head is dull green, striated with white, a broad black stripe passes from the 

 base of the bill round the head ; the throat, a broad collar encircling the neck, and the under surface, 

 greyish-white ; upper part of the back, and scapularies, green ; remainder of wings, bluish-green, tipped 

 with brown ; rump, and stripe up part of the back, red ; tail, green ; irides, legs, and feet, yellow ; bill, 

 olive-brown. 



Habitat : Interior of Australia. 



