PLATE XIY. 



GENUS TANYSIPTERA (Vigors). 



THE lengthened form of the tail, and the contrasted colours of the plumage, render the species of 

 this form very attractive, and at the same time give them a distinctly characteristic appearance. 



T 



TANYSIPTERA SYLVIA (Gould). 



WHITE-TAILED KINGFISHER. 

 HIS bird is an inhabitant of the dense brushes on the north coast of Australia. 



It is arboreal in habits, and though sometimes darting to the ground to capture an insect, 

 never remains there, but returns to perch on a branch. It is exceedingly shy and timid, and as it 

 flies with considerable swiftness it is very difficult to obtain specimens. 



Its manner of incubation is the same as that of Syma Flavirostris, namely to excavate a 

 hole in one of the gigantic ant-hills, three white eggs being laid. 



The crown of the head, wings, and five lateral tail-feathers on each side, blue ; forehead, 

 ear-coverts, and back, black, the latter with a patch of white in the centre ; rump and centre tail 

 feathers, white ; under surface, irides, bill, legs, and feet, dark red. 



Habitat : North Coast of Australia. 



GENUS DACELO (Leach). 



THE members of this genus have some very characteristic features, which at once distinguish them 

 from any other birds. 



DACELO GIGAS (G. R. Gray). 

 LA UGHING J A CKASS. 



ALMOST every inhabitant of New South Wales and Victoria has seen, or at any rate heard, the 

 Laughing Jackass, whose note sounds, to a certain extent, like a loud laugh, merry or taunting, 

 according as the traveller is in a cheerful mood, or in distress. To the latter, indeed, it is most 

 galling, sounding like the mocking laughter of a demon amused at his misfortune. Generally, however, 

 the sound is welcomed by bushmen, to whom it savours of nothing but good fellowship. 



