CRAB-HUNTERS. 



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Australian continent, where it may frequently be observed sitting in solitary 

 state watching for its prey. Unqualified for plunging into water, the dacelo 

 is vigilant in pursuit of reptiles and insects. Snakes are its favourite food, 

 and it may be often seen flying to a tree with one of these reptiles in its beak, 

 holding it just behind the head, and thus securing immunity from its bite. 

 Generally the snake is killed before being carried away, but sometimes the 

 bird is observed to break the creature's head to pieces on a branch by means 

 of its powerful beak. Occasionally the gigantic kingfisher will kill young 

 chickens, and carry away eggs; but its services in destroying reptiles abun- 



dantly compensate the settler for these petty depredations. The most striking 

 feature, however, in the history of the dacdo is its peculiar cry : ever and anon 

 it breaks out into a singular abrupt laugh, somewhat resembling the syllables 

 yah! yah! yalil commencing in a low, and gradually rising to a high and loud 

 tone, that is perfectly startling when heard amidst the solitudes of the forest. 

 From this wild and discordant cry it has obtained from the colonists the names 

 of the "Laughing Jackass," "Feathered Jackass," and "Laughing King- 

 fisher." The laughing kingfisher, or " Settler's Clock," as it is sometimes 

 called by the colonists, was for many years a doomed bird in Australia, merely 

 from ignorance of its natural habits; for having been seen occasionally to 

 pounce upon and devour a chicken in the absence of its usual supply of snakes 

 or mice, it was regarded as one of the destroyers of the poultry-yard ; and from 

 the general destruction of these birds that was instituted, a corresponding 

 increase of reptiles and vermin of all kinds was experienced on every farm. 

 Its utility being better understood, it is now seldom or never molested; its 

 peculiar laugh and singular scream are again heard, and the " Settler's Clocks," 

 set a-going again, prove a benefit to the community, and have even become 



