n. common English bird-name. Gouldmentions thirteen species in Australia. The Australian speciesare – – Blue Kingfisher – – Halcyon azurea, Lath.
♣ Fawn-breasted K. – – Dacelo cervina, Gould.
♣ Forest K. – – Halcyon macleayi, Jard. and Selb.
♣ Laughing jackass (q.v.) – – Dacelo gigas, Bodd.
♣ Leach's K. – – D. leachii, Vig. and Hors.
♣ Little K. – – Halcyon pusilla, Temm.
♣ Mangrove K. – – H. sordidus, Gould.
♣ Purple K. – – H. pulchra, Gould.
♣ Red-backed K. – – H. pyrropygius, Gould.
♣ Sacred K. – – H. sanctus, Vig. and Hors.
♣ White-tailed K. – – Tanysiptera sylvia, Gould.
♣ Yellow-billed K. – – Syma flavirostris, Gould.
There is a Kingfisher in New Zealand ( Halcyon vagans,Less.) considered identical by many with H. sanctusof Australia, but concluded by Butler to be a distinct species.
1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 121:
[A full description.]