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Show 3i 1 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE GENUS ALCYONE. [May 13, Ceyx azurea, Less. Voy. Coq. Zool. i. p. 690 (1826). Alcyone azurea, Rosenb. Journ. f. Orn. 1864, p. 118. A. torque pectorali nullo: abdomine rufo: rostro robustiore : supra saturate ultramarina. Hab. in Nova Guinea et in insulis dictis "Aru." Above deep rich ultramarine ; wing-coverts deep blue-black edged with ultramarine ; quills blackish, the inner web very light rufous from the base, the secondaries broadly edged with rich ultramarine ; tail deep ultramarine above, black beneath; a minute loral spot rufous ; a longitudinal patch of feathers along the sides of the neck white tinged with pale orange; throat whitish tinged with pale rufous; cheeks, sides of the neck, and a large patch of feathers on the sides of the upper part of the breast deep rich ultramarine extending a little on to the flanks; rest of the under surface of the body deep rufous, with a rich lilac shine upon the flanks; bill jet-black ; feet red. Total length 7 inches, of bill from front 1*7, from gape 2*1, wing 2*85, tail 1*2, tarsus 0*3, middle toe 0*5, hind toe 0*25. The above description is taken from a very beautiful male procured in the Aru Islands, and kindly lent to me by Mr. Wallace. Another male specimen from New Guinea, collected by Mr. Wallace, for the loan of which I am indebted to the Viscount Walden, is apparently a younger bird, and differs in having the tips of both mandibles ivory-white, and the whole under surface paler, especially on the throat, which is nearly pure white. To this specimen Mr. Wallace has attached a M S . note on the spot, as follows:-" feet vermillion ; bill black, tipped with white ; eyes dark brown ; length 6-6 inches." The measurements of this bird agree exactly with the Aru-Island specimen described above. 3. ALCYONE AFFINIS. Allied Kingfisher. Alcyone affinis, Gray, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 348. A. torque pectorali nullo: abdomine rufo: rostro robustiore: supra leetissime ultramarina. Hab. in insulis "Batchian" et "Gilolo" dictis. Above brilliant ultramarine, brightest on the back ; wing-coverts black washed with ultramarine ; quills blackish, the inner web light rufou3 from the base, the outer web of the secondaries narrowly edged with ultramarine ; a very small loral spot faint rufous ; throat and a longitudinal patch of feathers along the sides of the neck whitish tinged with orange-rufous, paler on the chin; cheeks, ear-coverts, and a patch of feathers on the sides of the upper part of the breast brilliant ultramarine; under surface of the body rufous, with a rich lilac lustre on the flanks; feet red; bill brownish black, towards the tip whitish. Total length 6*7 inches, of bill from front 1*6, from gape 2*0, wing 3-85, tail 1*2, tarsus 0*3, middle toe 0*5, hind toe 0*25. Hub. Batchian, Gilolo (IVallace). From Alcyone lessoni this species differs in being slightly smaller, |