Genus H i r u n d o , Linn.
The members of the genus Hirundo, or true Swallows, inhabit Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, the Indian
Islands and Australia, where the European and American chimney Swallows, Hirundo rustica and H. rufa, are
beautifully represented by the H. neoxena.
52. Hirundo neoxena, Gould . . . . .- . . . . . . . . Vol. n . PI. 13.
Hirundo neoxena, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 113.
Genus C h e l i d o n , Boie.
I find that by some unaccountable mistake I have placed the Australian members of this genus in that of
Gollocalia,—an error which I take this opportunity of correcting.
The two species inhabiting Australia are both represented by others in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
They differ somewhat from each other in. habits, one always resorting to the holes of trees for . the purpose of
nidification, and the other building a clay nest similar to those constructed by the martins of Europe and America.
53. Chelidon arbórea.
Collocalia arbórea, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 14.
54. Chelidon Ariel.
Collocalia Ariel, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 15.
Family MEROPID.E, Vig.
Genus M e r o p s , Linn.
India and Africa may be said to be the great nursery of this lovely group of b ird s; one species of which,
common in the southern parts of Europe, is beautifully represented in Australia by the Merops ornatus, the only
species inhabiting that country.
55. Merops ornatus, Lath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 16
F amily ?
Genus E u r y s t o m u s , Vieill.
One species of this genus is found in Australia, and others inhabit India and Africa. They are closely allied to
the Rollers, and not very distantly related to the Halcyons.
56. Eurystomus Australis, Swains. . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 17
Family HALCYONIDA5, Vig.
Genus D a c e l o , Leach.
The members of the genus Dacelo comprise the largest species of the great family of the Halcyonida, and form
a conspicuous portion of the ornithology of Australia; but remarkably enough are confined to the south-eastern
and northern portions of the country, the south-western parts being uninhabited by any species of this group. I
believe that water is not essential to their existence, and that they seldom if ever drink. They feed almost
exclusively upon animal substances, small quadrupeds, birds, snakes, lizards, and insects of every kind being
equally acceptable.
Three species inhabit Australia.
57. Dacelo gigantea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 18.
Inhabits the south-eastern portion of Australia, from South Australia to Moreton Bay.
58. Dacelo Leachii, Vig, fy H o r s f . ....................................................................................................................Vol. II. PI. 19.
Inhabits the north-eastern portion of Australia, and is common at Cape York.
59. Dacelo cervina, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 20.
Inhabits the north-western parts of Australia, particularly the Cobourg Peninsula.
In his ‘ Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington,’ Dr. Leichardt states that
when near the Gulf of Carpentaria, “ The laughing jackass (Dacelo Cervina, Gould) of this part of the country is
of a different species from that of the eastern coast, is of a smaller size and speaks a different language ; but the
noise is by no means so ridiculous as that of Dacelo gigantea ; he is heard before sunrise, and immediately after
sunset, like his representative of the eastern coast ; the latter was observed as far as the upper Lynd, where the
new one made its appearance.”—P. 326.
Genus H a l c y o n , Swains.
The members of this genus, as now restiicted, are found in all the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Australia,
and New Zealand. The Australian species, which are four in number, have many habits in common with the
Dacelos, and like them dwell among other places on the open plains, far away from water, and consequently must
live for considerable periods without a supply of that element.
60. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. Horsf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol, II. PI. 21.
61. Halcyon pyrrhopygia, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 22.
Captain Sturt found this species a t the Dépôt, and I have received specimens from the Swan River Settlement ;
consequently it has a very wide range, but is more an inhabitant of the interior than of the districts near the coast.
62. Halcyon sordidus, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 23.
63. Halcyon MacLeayii, Jard. 8¡ S e l l ) . .......................................................... • ■ • • Vol. II. PI. 24‘.
Independently of the Cobourg Peninsula, I have received specimens of this bird from Moreton Bay and other
parts of the east coast.
Genus A l c y o n e , Swains.
The Australian members of this genus are so intimately allied that I have only deemed it necessary to
figure two species, viz. Alcyone azurea and A. pus ill a ; the two species not figured are both nearly allied to
A. azurea, and may be considered its northern and southern prototypes, since the one to which I have given the
name of pulchra inhabits the north coast, and the other, which I have called Diemenensis, inhabits Van Diemen’s
Land. The A. azurea inhabits the intermediate or rather the south-eastern portions of the country, but no species
of the genus has yet been found in Western Australia. They all frequent the margins of rivers, and live on small
fish and insects, and have many habits in common with the members of the genus Alcedo, of which the Kingfisher
of Europe, A. Ispida, is the type. Although some species are found in New Guinea and the Indian Islands,
Australia is the country in which birds of this form are most abundant.
64. Alcyone azurea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. 25.
65. Alcyone Diemenensis, Gould.
Alcyone Diemenensis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p. 19.
All the upper surface deep blue, becoming more vivid on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; wings black