THE KINGFISHERS 



1841 



the tail is rufous with irregular black bars, and the under surface of the body is 

 white with a few margins of brown on the chest feathers, more distinct on the 

 flanks. The female is like the male, but is rather more rufous on the head. 

 Gould states that this kingfisher " frequents every variety of situation the lux- 

 uriant bushes stretching along the coast, the more thinly timbered forest, the belts 

 of trees studding the parched plains, and the brushes of the higher ranges being 

 alike favored with its presence; over all these localities it is rather thinly distributed, 



LAUGHING KINGFISHER. 

 (Two-thirds natural size.) 



being nowhere very numerous. Its food, which is of a mixed character, consists 

 exclusively of animal substances. Reptiles, insects, and crabs, however, appear to 

 be its favorite diet; it devours lizards with avidity, and it is not an unfrequent sight 

 to see it bearing off a snake in its bill, to be eaten at leisure; it also preys on small 

 mammals. I recollect shooting one of these birds in South Australia, in order to 

 secure a fine rat which I saw hanging from its bill, and which proved to be a rare 

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