THE SEARCHERS. 95 



laughing note, which lias obtained for it the name of the ' Laughing Jackass.' " Captain Sturt 

 describes this strange cry as "resembling a chorus of wild spirits." Gould states that this species 

 seldom or never drinks, and is therefore as much at home on arid plains as near the coast or river- 

 banks. "Its food, which is of a mixed character," continues the same writer, "consists of animal 

 substances. Reptiles, insects, and crabs, however, appear to be its favourite diet ; it devours lizards 

 with avidity, and it is not uncommon to see it bearing off a snake in its bill, to be eaten at leisure. 

 Unlike most other species, the Dacelo gigantea frequents every variety of situation ; the luxuriant 

 brushes extending along the coast, the more thinly-timbered forest, the belts of trees studding 

 the parched plains, and the brushwood of the higher ranges being alike favoured by its presence. 

 Over all these localities it is dispersed, but is nowhere numerous. It breeds during the months of 

 August and September, and generally selects a hole in a large gum-tree for the purpose ; making 

 no nest, but depositing its beautiful pearl-white eggs on the decomposed wood at the bottom of the 

 hole. The parent bird defends its young with the greatest courage and daring, darting down 

 upon any intruder who may attempt to ascend the tree, and inflicting se\'ere and even dangerous 

 wounds with its pointed bill. It bears confinement remarkably well, and is one of the most amusing 

 birds for an aviary with which I am acquainted." 



The PARADISE ALCYONS {Tanysipterd) are recognisable from the above groups by the 

 unusual length of the centre tail-feathers ; the beak, somewhat longer than the head, is conical in 

 form, its upper mandible almost straight, while the lower one curves slightly upwards. In the wing, 

 the fourth quill exceeds the rest in length ; the long and graduated tail varies considerably in its 

 formation. 



THE TRUE PARADISE ALCYON. 



The True Paradise Alcyon {Tanysiptera sylvia), one of the most refulgent members of this 

 group, is bright blue on the crown of the head, wings, and two outer tail-feathers ; the cheek, back of 

 the throat, and mantle are black ; and a triangular patch between the shoulders, the rump, and the 

 two centre flowing tail-feathers pure white. The entire under side is brownish red ; the beak and 

 foot are bright red. The body measures ten inches ; tlie wing two inches and two-thirds, and the 

 tail two inches and three-quarters. 



Gould tells us that this beautiful bird, which has at present only been met with at Cape York, on 

 the northern coast of AustraUa, never alights upon the ground, but is usually seen perched upon a 

 bare twig or parasitical plant, from whence it darts upon its insect prey, always returning at once to 

 its perch. Its flight is remarkably rapid. The cry of this species, which resembles the syllables 

 " wee-wee-wee," is usually uttered when the bird is stationary. Owing to its extreme timidity, the 

 Tanysiptera sylvia is extremely difficult to obtain ; indeed, the sportsman may follow it for an hour at 

 a time without the chance of a fair shot. According to the natives, the three white eggs laid by the 

 female are deposited in ant-hills. 



Two other nearly allied species, the Tanysiptera dea and the Tanysiptera nympha, inhabit New 

 Guinea, the Moluccas, and Philippine Islands. 



The SAW-BEAKED ALCYONS (Symd) have a long, thin beak, broad at its base, and 

 compressed at its sides, furnished down two-thirds of its length with numerous strong teeth-like 

 appendages ; the upper mandible projects beyond the lower portion of the bill, and terminates in a 

 sharp, slender tip ; in the short wing the third and fourth quills are of equal length, and longer than 

 the rest ; the tail is of medium size, and very decidedly rounded. 



