HALCYON PYRRHOPYGIA, Gould.
Red-backed Halcyon.
Halcyon pyrrhopygia, Gould, in Proc. of Zool. Soc., September 8, 1840.
T h i s new Halcyon is an inhabitant o f the interior, but over what extent o f country it may range is not yet
known. The only parts where I observed it was the myall-brushes (Acacia pendula) o f the Lower Namoi,
particularly those growing on the edge o f the large plain skirting the Nundawar range of Major Sir Thomas
Mitchell. It was usually seen sitting very upright on the dead branches o f the myall- and gum-trees,
sometimes on those growing out on the hot plains, at others on those close by the river-side. I succeeded in
obtaining both old and young birds, which, judging from the size of the latter, I should suppose had left their
breeding-place about a month before I arrived in the neighbourhood of the Namoi, in December. I also saw
in this district the common or Sacred Halcyon, but in far less abundance than between the ranges and the
coast. This latter species may be hereafter found to he more exclusively an inhabitant of the country
bordering the sea, while the Red-backed Halcyon may be exclusively a denizen o f the distant interior. The
unusual colouring o f the back at once distinguishes it from all the other members o f the genus inhabiting
Australia, but in its general economy and mode o f living it presents no observable difference.
Whether it remains during the whole o f the year, or is a migratory bird like the common species, I was
not able to learn; for although Mr. Charles Coxen had previously informed me o f the existence o f such a
Halcyon on the Namoi, he could give me no further account of it.
Crown of the head dull green, intermingled with white, giving it a striated appearance: a broad black
stripe commences at the base of the hill, passes through the eye, and encircles the back o f the head; upper
part of the back and scapularies green ; remainder of the wings bluish green; lower part of the back, rump,
and upper tail-coverts red,; tail green, tinged with blue; throat, a broad collar encircling the back o f the
neck, and all the under surface white; bill black, the base o f the lower mandible flesh-white; irides blackish
brown; feet dark olive brown.
The figure is of the natural size.