204 Mr. V1cons's and Dr. HonsrrErp's Description of the 
and in consonance merely with what appeared to him to be their 
natural affinities, of which he formed his judgement by actual 
observation of their manners, has grouped these birds in the same 
case with the Caprimu loi, Podargi, Hirundines, and Artami, in 
which situation they may still be seen. 
Fam. Harcyonipx. 
Genus. Daczro. Leach. | 
1. GiGANTEA. D. albida, capitis subcristati vertice maculá post- 
oculari nuchalique dorso anteriori alisque fusco-brunneis, his 
cæruleo-variegatis ; caud ferrugineá Jusco-brunneo-fasciatà, 
apice albo.. Sa o Aes | | 
Dacelo gigantea. Leach, Zool. Misc. ii. p. 196. pl. cvi. - 
Alcedo gigantea. Lath. Ind. Orn. p. 245. no. 1. 
Great Brown Kingsfisher. White’s Journ. pl. in p.131. Phil. 
Bot. Bay, pl. in p. 287. = 
This species is thus referred to in Mr. Caley's notes. “The 
settlers call this bird the Laughing Jackass, and the natives, as I 
think, Cuck’unda. It is common throughout the colony, at least 
in all the forest-land of the interior parts. It makes a loud noise, 
somewhat like laughing, which may be heard at a considerable 
distance; from which circumstance, and its uncouth appear- 
ance, it probably received the above extraordinary appellation 
from the settlers on their first arrival in the country. I have 
also heard it called the Hawkesbury Clock (clocks being at the 
period of my residence scarce articles in the colony, there not 
being one, perhaps, in the whole Hawkesbury settlement), for it 
is among the first of the feathered tribes which announce the 
approach of day. When sleeping in the woods, I have often 
found its singular noise most welcome in the morning.— Its 
habits were very different from those of the Three-toed Kings- 
fisher " (Ceyx azurea, Lacep.) 
2. Leacuit. 
