36 
ALCEDINID/E. 
Family ALCEDINIDAC. 
Genus DACELO, Leach. 
DACELO GIGAS, Bodd. 
Great Brown Kingfisher. 
Goidd, Ilandbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 60, p. 122. 
This well known bird deposits its eggs on the decaying wood in 
a hollow branch or hole in a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. Eggs 
three or four in number for a sitting, of a beautiful pearly-white. 
Dimensions of a set taken at Cardington, on the Bell River, New 
South Wales, in October, 1860. Length (A) 1-68 x 14 inch ; 
(B) 1*72 x 141 inch ; (C) 1-8 x 145 inch ; (D) 1-72 x 14 inch. 
On one occasion, on Ash Island, a nest of this species was found 
formed in the side of a clump of Stag-horn fern. 
When the young birds are fully fledged they crowd to the entrance 
of the aperture, in their eagerness to obtain the coveted morsel, 
which the parent bird procures for them, usually a lizard or field 
mouse, and their united and incessant olamourings for the same 
can be heard a considerable distance away. 
This species breeds during the months of August, September, 
and October. 
Hah. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence 
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South 
Australia. (Ramsay.) 
DACELO LEAOTLIT, Vigors and Horsfield. 
Leach’s Kingfisher. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 61, p. 124. 
“ This species takes the place in the North of D. gigas in the 
South. Eggs four in number for a sitting, placed in a hollow 
bough, or at the end of tunnels excavated in the nest of the 
Termites. Colour of a pure peai’ly-white. Length (A) l - 72 x 1'3 
inch, oval in shape; (B) l - 6 x 1'34, rather round.” 
