THE SEARCHERS. 



93 



THE YELLOW-HEADED WOOD ALCYON. 



The Yellow-headed Wood Alcyon (Todiramphus chlorocephalus), a species inhabiting Java, is 



of a metallic green on the back, and white on the under side ; the cheek-stripes, which pass behind 



the neck and unite on the back, are black ; a spot on the sides of the brow, and a line on the nape, 



are both dirty white ; the e3'e is yellowish, the upper mandible entirely black, the lower one yellowish 





THE LAUGHING JACKASS (Paralcymi gigos, ox Dacdo gigantea). 



white at its base, with black tip. This species is nine inches long ; the wing measures four inches 

 and a half, and the tail two inches and three-quarters. 



According to Bernstein, this species is one of the commonest of the birds inhabiting Java ; and 

 is to be seen on the banks of every river or streamlet that is not at any great distance from trees, and 

 Irom a projecting stone or branch patiently spying out the approach of any insect or tin}' fish. Its 

 flight is usually accompanied by the repeated utterance of its clear loud cry. The nest consists of a 

 bed of dry leaves and moss jjlaced in a hollow in the ground, protected by an o\-erhanging stone 

 The three or four eggs have a dull white shell. 



