Genus CYANALOYON: 
Cyanalcyon Bonaparte, Ateneo Italiano, Vol. 2, 
No. 11, p. 319 {Consp. Volucrum Aniso. p, 9), 
August, 1854 . . . . . . . . _ . . Type C. pyrrhopygius. 
Small Dacelonine birds with long slender bills, long wings with short 
secondaries, long tails and small legs and feet, characterised by very distinct 
coloration. 
I have given details of this genus in connection with the preceding, but 
may here note that though it stands alone in coloration it may be related to 
the next group and, were these to be united, the above genus name has 
priority. The coloration is so peculiar, however, that I unhfesitatingly 
maintain it as a distinct genus, as I have shown coloration to be the most 
constant factor in Kingfisher evolution, as far as this family is concerned. It 
then becomes another of the extraordinary endemic Austrahan forms, as it 
is restricted to Australia, and, moreover, is missing from Tasmania and the 
extreme south-west of Australia. 
Probably the most remarkable feature of this genus is the pointed wing, 
the first primary being absolutely the longest : in Sauropatis, the first primary 
is slightly shorter than the second, though sometimes nearly equalling it, 
while in Lazulena the first primary is long. In the other groups referred to 
Halcyon in the Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum, the first primary is 
generally short. If Cyanalcyon be regarded as a very near ally of Sauropatis, 
the elongation of the wing in conjunction with a restricted habit is a very 
peculiar item. No other relationship can at present' be suggested, and the 
slender bill is not exactly like the bills of the Sauropatis series. 
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