KEEL-BREASTED BIRDS. 273 
and lakes, dashing 
into the water for 
their prey, return- 
ing to devour it 
upon some branch, 
and uttering a harsh cry. 
The nest is a tunnel often 
six feet long, formed by 
the male and female in a 
cliff or bank adjoining the 
water. The eggs, gen- 
erally six, are pure white. 
The Australian and 
Indian kingfishers are re- 
markable for their beauty 
of coloring. The Aus- 
tralian laughing jackass is 
one of the largest, and 
noted for its demoniac 
laughter. The racket- 
tailed kingfisher, of the 
Malay Archipelago (Fig. 
305), is one of the most 
beautiful of the group. 
VALUE.—The feathers are 
used in trade, 
The Toucans (Rham- 
phastidg) are remarkable 
for their enormous, ser- 
rated, highly colored bills. 
The tongue is long and 
fringed with barbs. They 
are confined to South 
America. 
The red-billed toucan Fic. 305.—Racket-tailed kingfisher. 
