38 
ALCEDINIDAi. 
HALCYON PYRRHOPYGIXJS, Gould. 
Red-backed Kingfisher. 
Gould, Handbk. lids. A us/.., Yol. i., sp. C4, p. 130. 
This species breeds in tlie Bourke and Cobar districts during 
October and November, it nests in hollow boughs of trees, but on 
one occasion Mr. James Ramsay took five eggs from the end of a 
tunnel in the bank of a recently made dam or tank ; these 
specimens, accompanied by a skin of the parent bird, were sent to 
me, and measure as follows : — (A) 1-02 x 0-88 ; (B) 1-02 x 0-88 ; 
(C) 1 ’02 x 0'88 ; (D) 1*02 x 078; (E) l*04x0'87 inch; they are 
a pure glossy white colour. (Dobr. Mus. P.L.S., iV.S. IT., Vol. 
vii., p. 45, Ramsay.) 
Hah. Derby, N.\Y. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington, 
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, 
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, New South Wales, Interior, 
Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.') 
HALCYON MACLEAYI, Jardine amt Selby. 
Macleay’s Kingfisher. 
Gould, llamlb. lids. Aunt., Vol. i., sp. 66, p. 133. 
This beautiful Kingfisher has an extensive range of habitat, 
being found in the northern provinces of New South Wales, and 
the whole of Queensland, and has lately been received from North 
Western Australia, in the collection formed by the late Mr. T. H. 
Boyer-Bower. It often deposits its eggs in the hollow branch of 
a tree, at other times, digging a tunnel in the nest of the White 
Ants, it lays them in a rounded chamber at the extremity. 
During Dr. Ramsay’s visit to Queensland in 1874 a nest was 
