7 6 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
11. Forest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayi Jar dine and Selby 
macleayi — W. S. Macleay (1792-1865), naturalist, founder of natural his- 
tory in New South Wales. 
Distribution. — North-western, northern, and eastern Australia to as 
far south as north-eastern New South Wales. 
Notes: — Also called Macleay’s Kingfisher, Bush Kingfisher, and Blue 
Kingfisher. It is a stationary species in northern Australia; arrives in 
north-eastern New South Wales in September, departs in March. It is 
very similar in habits to the Sacred Kingfisher ; most vicious when nesting ; 
the call is loud and is uttered intermittently throughout the day. Food : 
large insects, small lizards, fish, and crabs. The female does not possess 
the white nuchal collar, the colour of the head taking its place. 
Nest . — A hollowed-out cavity in a termites’ nest on a tree, at an 
average height of 30 feet from the ground. 
Eggs.—. Four to six, pure white and rounded. Breeding-season: Octo- 
ber to December or January. 
12. Red-backed Kingfisher Halcyon pyrrhopygius Gould 
pyr-rlio-pyg'-i-us (g=j) — Gk, pyrrhos, fire-coloured; Gk, pyge, rump, 
tail. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, chiefly the inland portions. 
Notes. — Also called Golden Kingfisher. Usually in pairs. Arrives in 
New South Wales during September, departs in March; only stragglers 
reach the coastal districts, and it is rarely seen east of the Dividing Range. 
It keeps to dry areas, often miles from water; call, a single mournful 
note, uttered at short intervals, but kept up incessantly. Food: large in- 
sects and their larvse and small lizards. 
Nest. — A tunnel in a bank of a dry creek, or in a termites’ nest. 
Eggs . — Four or five, pure white and rounded. Breeding-season : Sep- 
tember or October to December or January. 
13. Dollar-bird (Broad-billed Roller) Eurystomus orientalis Linne 
Eur-y-stom-us — Gk, eurys, wide; Gk, stoma , mouth: or-i-en-ta-lis — L., 
orientalis , eastern. 
Distribution . — North-western Australia, Northern Territory, and 
eastern Australia; also as stragglers in South Australia, Tasmania, Lord 
Howe Island, and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs; arrives late September or early October, 
departs at end of February or March. It spends much of its time perched 
on the highest dead branch of a tall tree, from which it will dart 
into the air in pursuit of some flying insect. At dusk it “hawks” con- 
tinuously above the tree-tops, often remaining on the wing for an hour or so 
longer. It is named “Dollar-bird” from the round whitish spot on each 
wing seen when in flight, and “Roller” from its habit of somersaulting 
when on the wing. The note is peculiarly harsh and discordant ; 
uttered chiefly when on the wing, particularly towards sunset. Food: 
large flying insects. 
