54 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



turquoise blue feathers developed by the adult male bird in patches on the wing 

 coverts, and also above the base of the tail. In this direction it more nearly 

 approaches the yet more magnificent Sauromarpus gaudichaudi of New Guinea on the 

 opposite side of Torres Straits. 



The vocal accomplishments of the species here figured differ essentially from those 

 of the familiar D. gigas, and so much resemble the most characteristic note of the 

 Australian Crane, or so-called " Native Companion," Grus australasianus, that the writer 

 on first hearing it in York Peninsula attributed it to that species. The sobriquet of 

 " Laughing Jackass " would appear under these circumstances to be somewhat inappro- 

 priately applied to this type. It can scarcely be said to laugh, and its " smile," at 

 close quarters, is so loud and ear-piercing that unsympathetic neighbours most 

 uncharitably defined it as a compromise between the shriek of a locomotive engine 

 and a policeman's rattle. 



The Kingfisher family, Alcediclse, is most richly represented throughout Australia, 

 from the relatively huge Dacelos to the pigmy tropical Queensland species, Alcyone 

 pusilla, scarcely two inches in length, including as members in the same district 

 the remarkable Raquet-tailed Kingfisher, Tanysiptera sylma, in which the two central 

 tail feathers are so prolonged that they may equal or exceed twice the total length of 

 the bird's body. Many of these Australian Kingfishers are further interesting from the 

 fact that in lieu of river banks they burrow holes and construct their nests in the 

 hills of the White Ants or Termites that form the subject of a subsequent Chapter. 

 In Plate XXII, fig. B., an illustration is given of a termite nest, showing the burrow 

 entrance of the Raquet-tailed species above-mentioned. 



The very commonly expressed assertion that Australian birds are devoid of 

 song is by no means supported by facts, as anyone who is extensively acquainted 

 with the various districts of the Island-Continent will testify. Few, if any, European 

 birds produce a melody as rich and varied as the several species of so-called Magpies 

 or Piping Crows, Gymnorhince, already alluded to. Among the smaller birds there 

 are several species somewhat resembling the English reed warbler, and one of 

 these, Acrocephalus australis, is, indeed, specially mentioned by Gould as possessing a 

 stronger and more melodious song than its European congener. Allied to these again are 

 the many varieties of so-called White or Silver Eyes, genus Zosterops, which are veritable 

 garden warblers, in habits, note, and aspect. As with the European birds, to whom 

 they are here compared, they take a considerable toll from soft fruits such as goose- 

 berries or grapes, but in compensation destroy a vast number of insect pests. Some 



