106 



AX AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



223*Sacred Kingfisher (Wood, Forest, Tree), H. aanctus. 

 Cel., Java to A., T., N. Heb. 



Mig. c. timber, near ivater 8 

 Head, upper greenish-blue; whitish collar; buffy-white 

 under; bill long black; f., sim. Insects, ants, lizards, 

 fish. 

 F. 83. Bucerotidae, Hornbills, 71 sp — 4 (4) A., 33(33)0., 



34(34)E. 

 F. 84. Upupidac, Hoopoes, 6 sp. — 2(1)0., 2(0) P., 4(3)E. 

 F. 85. Irrisoridac, Wood-Hoopoes, 12 sp. E. 

 F. 86. MEROPIDAE (1), BEE-EATERS, 41 sp.— 5 (4) A., 

 10(6)0., 2(0)P., 30(27)E. 



The great terrestrial Kingfishers, of which Australia has three 

 species — the fourth being confined to New Guinea — are amongst 

 the avine curiosities of Australia. Few birds are more famous 

 than the Laughing Kingfisher (Jackass), first, on account of his 

 gigantic size — hence his specific name, gigas — and, secondly, 

 because of his laugh, which brightens many a gloomy, misty day 

 in lonely country districts. Homesick travellers from foreign 

 lands could only hear evil spirits laughing at their trials and 

 loneliness, but, just as mountains, once thought ugly, are now con- 

 sidered beautiful, so other thoughts are now associated with the 

 laugh of our remarkable Australian Kingfisher. 



True to the law of representatives, Australia presents us with 

 a beautiful representative of the Old World family of Bee-eaters 



