r r
obsolete, and there is no difference between the two species excepting
the larger size and whiter under surface of D. leachii.
The types of D. occidentalis from the Gould Collection are now
in the Museum ; and for the same reason th at I dismissed the
barred outer tail-feather as a character for separating D. leachii from
D. cervinus, so I must refuse to consider it a mark of distinction
between D. cervinus and D. occidentalis. The nearly uniform coloration
of the under surface is a much more peculiar fe a tu re ; hut in
the female there are some zigzag markings on the flanks. That this
uniform under surface is somewhat accidental is proved by the fact
th a t none of Dr. Fdsey’s specimens in the British Museum, procured
in the same locality as Mr. Gregory’s birds, are entirely without
cross bars below.
In the species from South-eastern New Guinea the appearance of
cross bars on the under surface seems to be the exception and not
the rule, the collar round tho hind neck being also perfectly uniform.
As with the Australian species, the cross bars are a sign of
immaturity, being accompanied by a more uniform brown head.
I t would appear therefore, from a consideration of the above
series, th at not one of the characters employed for the separation of
these four Laughing Kingfishers is of permanent value. The barring
of the tail-feathers must he set aside, being merely dependent upon
age ; hut taking D. cervinus as the central form or leading type of
the hlue-tailed Jackasses of Australia, we find that eastwards (in
Queensland) it A’aries to the extent of becoming a larger bird, whiter
underneath, and always more or less barred on the under surface,
the throat included (D. leachii). In the western part of its range the
bird has atendeney to become uniform underneath (D. occidentalis);
but this may be due to the bleaching effect of the climate, and it is
evident th at D. intermedius can only be looked upon as another pale
race, being led up to bj" the w^estorn specimens of D. cervinus.
49. Halcyon sanctus ( F. ^ H.).
Ramsay, t. c. p. 179.
a ,h . 2 ■ Thursday Island, Aug. 7, 1881.
c. d . Thursday Island, July 1, 1881.
50. Halcyon macleayi, J. S.
Ramsay, t. c. p. 179.
a. d . Thursday Island, Aug. 1881.
51. Halcyon sordidus {Gould).
Ramsay, t. c. p. 179.
a. 2 . Fort Darwin, Nov. 1881.
52. Centropus phasianus {Lath.).
Ramsay, t. c. p. 192.
a. 2 • Possession Island, Endeavour Strait, July 1881.
h. 2 • Port Molle, Queensland, May 1881.
53. Cacatua galerita {Lath.).
Gould, Handh. B. Austr. ii. p. 2.
Plyctolophus galerita, Ramsay, t. c. p. 192.
a. 2 - Hammond Island, Torres Straits, Aug. 1881.
54. Trichoglossus novse hollandi® {Gm.).
Ramsay, t. c. p. 194.
а. d ■ Prince of Wales Island, July 1881.
б, d ■ Port Molle, May 1881.
55. Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus {Kuhl).
Ramsay, t. c. p. 195.
a. 2 ad. Port Curtis, Queensland, April 1881.
56. Macropygia phasianella, Temm.
Ramsay, t. c. p. 196.
a. 2 . Port Molle, Queensland, May 1881.
57. Geopelia humeralis {Temm.).
Erythranchena humeralis, Ramsay, t. c. p. 196.
a. d ■ Port Curtis, Queensland, April 1881. Iris bright yellow.
h,c. d - Horn Island, Torres Straits. Iris red.
d. d . Thursday Island, June 10, 1881. Cere purplish red.
e. 2 . Friday Island, July 16, 1881. Iris yeUow.
58. Geopelia tranquilla, Gould.
Ramsay, t. c. p. 196.
a. 2 . Port Curtis, Queensland, April 1881. Iris dark.
h. d . Port Darwin, Nov. 1881.
59. Ptilopns swainsoni, Goidd.
Gould, Handh. B. Austr. ii. p. 106 ; Ramsay, t. c. p. 195.
a. d ad. Port Molle, May 1881. Iris light yellow; hill green;
legs and feet grey.