106 
AN AUSTRA.L1AN BIRD BOOK. 
323*Sacred Kingfisher (Wood, Forest, Tree), H, sanctus, 
Cel., Java to A., T., N. Heb. 
Mig. c. timber^ near water 8 
Head, upper greenish-blue; whitish collar; buffy-white i 
under; bill long black; f., sim. Insects, ants, lizards, 
fish. 
F. 83. Bucerotidae, Hornbills, 71 sp.— 4(4)A., 33(33)0., 
34(34)E. 
F. 84. ?7pt^pirZac, Hoopoes, 6 sp. — 2 (1 ) O., 2 ( 0 ) P., 4 ( 3 ) E. 
F. 85. Irrisoridac, Wood-Hoopoes, 12 sp. E. 
F. 86. MEROPIDAE (1), BEE-EATERS, 41 sp.— 5(4)A., 
10(6)0., 2(0)P., 30(27)E. 
The great terrestrial Kingfishers, of which Australia has three 
species — the fourth being confined to New Guinea — are amongst 
the avine curiosities of Australia. Few birds are more famous 
than the Laughing Kingfisher (Jackass), first, on account of his 
gigantic size — hence his specific name, gigas — and, secondly, 
because of his laugh, which brightens many a gloomy, misty day 
in lonely country districts. Homesick travellers from foreign 
lands could only hear evil spirits laughing at their trials and 
loneliness, but, just as mountains, once thought ugly, are now con- 
sidered beautiful, so other thoughts are now associated with the 
laugh of our remarkable Australian Kingfisher. 
True to the law of representatives, Australia presents us with 
a beautiful representative of the Old World family of Bee-eaters. 
