Genus — M ICRALCYONE. 
MiCRAiiCYONE Mathews, Austral Avian Record, Vol. I., 
p. 107, 1912 Type M. pusilla. 
Smallest Alcedinine birds, with long, compressed black bills, long wings, 
short tails and small legs, and feet with three toes only. 
This genus agrees in structural features generally with the preceding, 
but is much smaller, and though similarly coloured above is differently 
coloured below. 
The wing has the tip comprised of five primaries, the second, third and 
fourth subequal and longest, the first a little shorter, though longer than the 
fifth. 
The type species of this genus was described as a Ceyx^ but was transferred 
to Alcyone by Gould, and there remained until at the reference above given 
I separated it with the diagnosis : “ Differs from Alcyone in its smaller size, 
longer slenderer bill and weaker feet, with shorter wings.” 
I did not mention coloration in that place, but I must admit that the 
difference in coloration was a stimulant, as hereafter shown. The size of the 
bird suggested Ceyx, and I found that species of Ceyx had also only three 
toes. Species similar to the present one were ranked under Ceyx^ though 
the type of that genus was quite a different bird. There was only one 
name available in addition to Ceyx, viz. Therosa, and I therefore proposed 
Micralcyone and left the subject until I was able to thoroughly discuss it, as I 
here propose to do. 
As far as I can determine there seems to be only one species m the genus, 
though a series of subspecies can be defined, as richardsi Tristram seems only 
subspecifically distinct. 
There is, however, a Ceyx gentiana Tristram from the Solomon Islands 
which may prove a distinct species and referable to this group. Tristram 
noted its resemblance, but decided it was closer to solitaria, which he considered 
a black-billed Ceyx. 
I have been much puzzled as to the relationship of Micralcyone and 
Ceyx. I had long ago concluded that there was a very close relationship 
between Micralcyone and some of the species ranged under Ceyx. I have 
now endeavoured to fix that relationship, but cannot satisfactorily determine 
it. I cannot see how these small Kingfishers can be classified save by colour, 
and there is one big item apparent, and that is the Alcedinine colour-pattern 
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