A lino under tho oyo, and tho ear-coverts, aro black ; bead', l)ack, scapularie.s, rump, and base 



■ >(' tail, greenish-blue; wings, brownish-black, the primaries having tho base white; tail, brownish-black; 



chooks and under surfaee, white ; irides, light brown ; bill, grey. The female is duller in colouring, but 

 otherwise does not differ. 



Habitat: Northern part of Australia. 



GENUS SYMA (Lesson). 



ri^\V<> species of this genus have been discovered, one in Australia, and one in New Guinea. 



SYMA FLAVIROSTRTS (Gould). 



YELLOW-BILLED KINGFISHER. 



THE Yellow-Billed Kingfisher is yet another of those beautifully-coloured and rare birds which 

 inhabit the north coast of Australia. 



It frequents only the densest brushes, and on account of its timidity is very difficult to procure. 



It feeds on insects and small reptiles. 



During the season of incubation it excavates a hole in one of the immense ant-hills of red clay, 

 which are to be seen in great abundance in that region, and in it lays three white eggs. 



The female differs from the male, in the colour of the plumage being rather duller. 



Tho head, neck, and ear-coverts, are cinnamon-red, with a broad line of black on the crown of 

 the head ; back, wings, and tail, green, each feather margined with black ; under surface, greyish-white ; 

 irides, brown ; bill, buff, part of the lower mandible, brown ; legs and feet, yellowish-buff. 



Habitat : North coast of Australia. 



