INTRODUCTION. 
xxxi 
exclusively upon animal substances, small quadrupeds, birds, snakes, lizards, and insects of every kind being 
equally acceptable. 
Three species inhabit Australia. 
57. Dacelo gigautea Vol. II. PI. 18. 
Inhabits the south-eastern portion of Australia, from South Australia to Moreton Bay. 
58. Dacelo Leachii, Vig. 8f Horsf. Vol. II. PI. 19. 
Inhabits the north-eastern portion of Australia, and is common at Cape Yoi'k. 
59. Dacelo cervina, Gould ... . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 20. 
Inhabits the north-western parts of Australia, particularly the Cobourg Peninsula. 
In his 'Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington,' Dr. Leichardt states that 
when near the Gulf of Carpentaria, " The laughing jackass (Dacelo Cervina, Gould) of this part of the country is 
of a different species from that of the eastern coast, is of a smaller size and speaks a different language ; but the 
noise is by no means so ridiculous as that of Dacelo gigantea ; he is heard before sunrise, and immediately after 
sunset, like his representative of the eastern coast ; the latter was observed as far as the upper Lynd, where the 
new one made its appearance." — P. 326. 
Genus Halcyon, Swains. 
The members of this genus, as now restricted, are found in all the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Australia, 
and New Zealand. The Australian species, which are four in number, have many habits in common with the 
Dacelos, and like them dwell among other places on the open plains, far away from water, and consequently must 
live for considerable periods without a supply of that element. 
60. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. 8^ Horsf. . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PL 21. 
61. Halcyon pyrrhopygia, Gould ............ Vol. II. PI. 22. 
Captain Sturt found this species at the Depot, and I have received specimens from the Swan River Settlement ; 
consequently it has a very wide range, but is more an inhabitant of the interior than of the districts near the coast. 
62. Halcyon sordidus, Gould . . . . . . . . . ... . . Vol. II. PI. 23. 
63. Halcyon MacLeayii, Jard. 8^ Selb. . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 24. 
Independently of the Cobourg Peninsula, I have received specimens of this bird from Moreton Bay and other 
parts of the east coast. 
Genus Alcyone, Sioains. 
The Australian members of this genus are so intimately allied that I have only deemed it necessary to 
figure two species, viz. Alcyone azurea and A. -pusilla ; the two species not figured are both nearly allied to 
A. azurea, and may be considered its northern and southern prototypes, since the one to which I have given the 
name of pulchra inhabits the north coast, and the other, which I have called Diemenensis, inhabits Van Diemen's 
Land. The A. azurea inhabits the intermediate or rather the south-eastern portions of the country, but no species 
of the genus has yet been found in Western Australia. They all frequent the margins of rivers, and live on small 
fish and insects, and have many habits in common with the members of the genus Alcedo, of which the Kingfisher 
of Europe, A. Ispida, is the type. Although some species are found in Ncav Guinea and the Indian Islands, 
Australia is the country in which birds of this form are most abundant. 
64. Alcyone azurea Vol. II. PI. 25. 
65. Alcyone Diemenensis, Gould. 
Alcyone Diemenensis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, Pai't XIV. p. 19. 
All the upper surface deep blue, becoming more vivid on the rump and upper tail- coverts ; wings black 
