222 LAUGHING JACKASS. 



Feathered Jackass."* Its peculiar gurgling- 

 laugh, commencing from a low, and gradually 

 rising to a high and loud tone, is often heard 

 by the traveller in all parts of the colony, send- 

 ing forth its deafening noises whilst remaining 

 perched upon the lofty branch of a tree watching 

 for prey ; it is respected by gardeners for de- 

 stroying grubs, &c. The natives at Yas call the 

 bird " Gogera," or " Gogobera, " probably from 

 its peculiar note, which has some resemblance 

 to the sound of the word. It is said that one 

 seldom laughs without being accompanied by a 

 second, forming a very harmonious duet. 



This bird, from its devouring mice and veno- 

 mous reptiles, deserves protection ; (hawks also 

 destroy snakes in this colony.) A gentleman told 

 me that he was perfectly aware of the bird de- 

 stroying snakes, as he had often seen them carry 

 the reptiles to a tree, and break their heads to 

 pieces with their sharp strong beaks ; he also 

 said he had known them destroy chickens soon 

 after they were hatched, and carry away eggs, 

 breaking the shell with their sharp beaks, to 

 get at their contents. One of these birds, 



* This occasioned a lady at home to declare, that of all 

 the wonderful productions of Australia, she thought nothing 

 could equal the " feathered donkey." 



