HALCYON. 
37 
“ They breed during the months of September, October, and 
November. ( Ramsay , P.L.S ., N.S.W., Vol. vii., p. 45.) 
llab. 1 ort Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria, 
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, 
Dawson River, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.) 
Genus HALCYON Sioainson. 
HALCYON SANCTUS, Vigors and Horsfield, 
Sacred Kingfisher. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 63, p. 128. 
This bird is now known to be universally dispersed throughout 
the continent of Australia, it having lately been received from 
North-western Australia, in the collection formed by Mr. Cairn 
in the vicinity of Derby last year (1886), being the only portion 
of the continent from which specimens had not been previously 
received. 
The Sacred Kingfisher deposits its eggs which are pearly-white 
and usually five in number, on the decaying wood in a hollow 
branch, or hole of a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. A set taken in 
October 1870, measure as follows length (A) 1-03 x 0-88 inch ; 
(B) 1 -03 x 0-89 inch ; (C) 1 -03 x 0-87 inch ; (D) 1 -02 x 0-82 inch ; 
(E) 1'05 x 088 inch. 
The breeding season commences in September, and lasts the two 
following months. 
llab. Derby, N. W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington, 
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, 
"Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence 
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and 
South Australia, Tasmania, W. and S.W. Australia, South Coast 
New Guinea. (Ramsay.) 
