THE LAUGHING JACKASS. 



131 



They are to be found in nearly all parts of the world, and Europe boasts of one of the hand- 

 somest, although one of the smallest, species. 



Our first example of the Kingfishers is the Laughing Jackass, or Giant Kingfishee, 

 its former title being derived from the strange character of its cry. 



This bird is an inhabitant of Australia, being found chiefiy in the southeastern district of 

 that country, and in New South Wales. In Van Diemen's Land Mr. Gould believes that it 

 does not exist. In no place is it found in any great numbers ; for although it is sufficiently 

 common, it is but thinly dispersed over the country. It is rather a large bird, being eighteen 

 inches in total length, and is powerful in proportion, being able to wage successful war against 

 creatures of considerable size. 



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LAUGHING JACKASS.— Pura/cyon rjlgas. 



AlthoTTgh one of the true Kingfishers, it so far departs from the habits of the family as to 

 be comparati\ely careless about catching fish, and, indeed, often resides in the vast arid plains 

 where it can find no streams sufficiently large to harbor fish in their waters. Crabs of various 

 kinds are a favorite food with this bird, which also eats insects, small mammalia, and reptiles. 

 Mr. Gould mentions an instance where he shot one of these birds for the sake of possessing a 

 rare and valual)le species of rat which it was carrying ofl" in its biE. It is also known to eat 

 snakes, catching them with great dexterity by the tail, and crushing their heads with its 

 powerful beak, yometimes it is known to i)Ounce upon fish, but it usually adheres to the 

 above-mentioned diet. 



The cry of this bird is a singular, dissonant, abrupt laugh, even more startling than that 

 of the hyena, and raising strange panics in the heart of the novice, who first hears it while 

 bivouacking in the "bush." Being of a mightily inquisitive nature, the Laughing Jackass 



