A ic iC oe Cis oy NZ Cho 132 “a >.>, Zs FON x Ds _.D¥2) .' 7 ‘O) + Y CO OX ANS on ei om + ES Ea aad oe have made upon these different birds, which offer to one another a striking ee with respect to the distribution of their tints. The ordinary Kingfisher (/cedo ispeda of authors—a species known throughout the whole world) is of the following proportions :—Length of wings, 2 inches 10 lines ; length of beak, from the front, 1 inch 4 lines; breadth of beak, near the front, 3} lines; length of tail, 1 inch 4 lines; tarsi, 32 lines. “The ordinary Kingfisher of Bengal (4lcedo Bengalensis, Gmelin, figured by Edwards, pl: rele and by Kittlitz, Kupfertafeln, pl. 29. fig. 1) may be constantly distinguished from the common species by its less robust size and less squat form, although its beak may be a little longer than in the former. This little race has been observed at Bengal; our travellers have obtained a great number of individuals from Japan and Timor ; and Kittlitz says that it is common in the Isle of Lugon, and that its habits are identically the same as those of the European race. We have before us a complete series of individuals received from Bengal, from Japan, and from Timor; these all exhibit slight but perceptible differences. “Those from Bengal present the same gradation of tints as those of the common Kingfisher of Europe ; but their wings do not exceed 2 inches 7 lines in length, the tail is 1 inch 4 lines, and the beak 1 inch 5 to 6 lines long. “The individuals from Japan still more closely resemble those from Bengal with regard to the gradation of their tints; but they have the wings constantly a little longer, in that they measure 2 inches 8: lines long. ‘Lastly, the individuals from Timor resemble those from Japan in the length of their wings; but they differ from them, as well as from those of Bengal, in the tints of the upper part of the bird, which are much more lively, of an almost perfect blue, and very little inclining to green, as seen in individuals from Japan and Bengal, as well as in the common European species.” I may here remark that the late Prince Charles Bonaparte regarded the Japanese bird as distinct, and that he therefore designated it A/cedo Japonica (see his paper in the ‘ Ateneo Italiano’ for August 1854). Colonel Sykes says, ‘“ This species affects brooks; it is never seen in gardens.” Mr. Pearson informs us that “It is frequently seen seated on a stick standing upright in a paddy-field, watching for small fishes in the shallow water.” From Dr. Francis Buchanan Hamilton’s MS. we learn that “It builds its nest in holes, which it excavates in abrupt banks and mud walls.” The following brief notice of this bird occurs in the notes of the late Captain Boys :—« Frequents the mountain-streams and shady spots; is more frequently seen on the branch of a tree overhanging the water than on any projecting stone or stump init. It flies with great rapidity and ease, generally very near the water. It is abundant near the cantonments at Nibon, each rivulet having a pair in about every two miles. It constantly remains at the same spot, unless forced to remove by necessity and the want of food. The sexes are alike in plumage; but that of the female is of a somewhat duller hue.” Mr. Swinhoe states that it is sometimes seen, but is not common, between Takoo and Pekin, in North China. The male has the crown and nape and a stripe from the angle of the lower mandible deep-bluish green, transversely barred with bright verditer-green ;_ plumage of the upper surface and wings bluish green ; each of the wing-coverts with a spot of verditer-green at the tip ; back and upper tail-coverts beautiful verditer- -coverts, and under surface of the body reddish primaries and secondaries brown, margined ex- feet orange ; bill black, lighter at the base of the under green; lores, space below the eye, ear-coverts, under wing chestnut; behind the ear-coverts a streak of silky white ; ternally with green ; tail deep blue; irides brown ; mandible. The female is very similar; but the markings of the head and wings are not so fine, the base of the under mandible is lighter, and her general hue is duller than that of her mate. In the immature bird the general colouring is less brilliant, and the upper surface and breast are clouded with olive-brown. The figures represent two fully adults, of the natural size.