52 
POPULAR HISTOR)^; OF BIRDS. 
The family of the Kingfishers (Alcedinid^) is well re- 
presented by the group from which it derives its name, 
which are, generally speaking, birds of no great size, with 
a long, straight, angular, pointed beak, and a shortish tail. 
The food of the true kingfishers consists chiefly of small 
fish, which they watch for, on a branch overhanging a 
stream, and catch by precipitating themselves into the water, 
returning to their perch to eat their prey, as well as to kill 
it, which they do by beating it against the bough. Some 
species again, with very large bills, inhabit Australia, and 
are found in places remote from water. Mr. Gould, speak- 
ing of these birds, which belong to the genus Bacelo, says, 
I believe that water is not essential to their existence, and 
that they seldom or never drink. They feed almost ex- 
clusively upon animal substances; small quadrupeds, birds, 
snakes, lizards, and insects of every kind being equally ac- 
ceptable'^.''^ These birds, which are occasionally brought 
alive to this country, have a loud prolonged cry, some- 
v/hat resembling that of the ass; and from this cry have 
acquired their colonial name, Laughing Jackass.''^ Some 
of the small kingfishers feed almost exclusively on insects ; 
and in some of the islands of the South Seas they are re- 
* Introduction to the Birds of Australia^ p. 29. 
