THE LAUGHING JACKASS. 
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They are to be found in nearly all parts of the world, and Europe boasts of one of the hand- 
somest, although one of the smallest, species. 
Our first example of the Kingfishers is the Laughing Jackass, or Giant Kingfisher, 
its former title being derived from the strange character of its cry. 
This bird is an inhabitant of Australia, being found chiefly in the southeastern district of 
that country, and in New South Wales. In Van Diemen’s Land Mr. Gould believes that it 
does not exist. In no place is it found in any great numbers ; for although it is sufficiently 
common, it is but thinly dispersed over the country. It is rather a large bird, being eighteen 
inches in total length, and is powerful in proportion, being able to wage successful war against 
creatures of considerable size. 
LAUGHING JACKASS .— Paralcyon gigas. 
Although one of the true Kingfishers, it so far departs from the habits of the family as to 
be comparatively careless about catching fish, and, indeed, often resides in the vast arid plains 
where it can find no streams sufficiently large to harbor fish in their waters. Crabs of various 
kinds are a favorite food with this bird, which also eats insects, small mammalia, and reptiles. 
Mr. Gould mentions an instance where he shot one of these birds for the sake of possessing a 
rare and valuable species of rat which it was carrying off in its bill. It is also known to eat 
snakes, catching them with great dexterity by the tail, and crushing their heads with its 
powerful beak. Sometimes it is known to pounce upon fish, but it usually adheres to the 
above-mentioned diet. 
The cry of this bird is a singular, dissonant, abrupt laugh, even more startling than that 
of the hyena, and raising strange panics in the heart of the novice, who first hears it while 
bivouacking in the “bush.” Being of a mightily inquisitive nature, the Laughing Jackass 
