BROWN KINGFISHER (LAUGHING JACKASS). 
inhabits various places in the South Seas, being pretty common at New Guinea ; 
but the specimen from which our figure was taken was sent from Port Jackson 
in South Wales, where, likewise, it is not unfrequently met with. We believe 
it has not yet been figured in any British work.” 
Simultaneously White, in his Journ. Voyage New South Wales (p. 137, 
1790), also gave a plate, and, quoting, Latham’s description was added : 
“ This bird is not uncommon in many islands of the South Seas, being pretty 
frequent at New Guinea, from whence the specimen came from which Mr. 
Latham took his description ; it is also an inhabitant of New Holland, from 
whence several have been sent over to EnglandP 
Here will be seen the continued acceptance of the New Guinea habitat, 
all being based on Sonnerat’s work, as I cannot find any other source for the 
conclusions “ pretty common at New Guinea.” The headquarters of this 
bird seems to be New South Wales, and the exaggeration of the older writers 
is clearly seen in the phrase “ not uncommon in many islands of the South 
Seas,” for which I cannot see any basis at all. 
It is really extraordinary that the false locality should have been so 
continually repeated, and I have been always on the lookout for the cause 
of the original error, without result, so I would be glad if my readers would 
note this confusion about this typical Australian bird so well-known as the 
Kookaburra. 
This bird appears twice among the Watling paintings, and a long note 
is given with one of them as follows : “ This bird lives on insects, worms, 
etc., principally, tho’ sometimes seeds are found in its crop. Its by no means 
numerous and very solitary ; still, from its note, which is that of a human 
loud and continued laugh, it might be considered a chearfuU bird. The natives 
call it Googanegang, but with us it has the appelation of the Laughing Bird. 
None of them have ever been observed pairing, nor has any of their nests 
been found. The largest I have ever seen was the one from which this drawing 
was taken — from the bill end to the tip of the tail it measured 16 J inches, 
and from tip to tip of the wings 18 inches. It is a bird of slow and short 
flight, and seems when on the wings to have some difficulty to support its 
forepart, which regularly from the head and bill (which is large and strong) 
to the tail decreases in size. The feet are of a lead colour with black claws, 
and small in proportion to the size of the bird. I have seen the feathers on 
the head form a more compleat crest than the drawing exhibits ; however, in 
other respects it is a faithful copy. Native name Goo-ge-ne-gang, likewise tliis 
is called the Laughing Jack Ass.” On the other is written, “ Native name 
Goo-ge-na-gan.” This latter is obviously not the work of Watling, while the 
former is signed “ Thos. Watling, N.S. Wales.” 
VOL. vn. 
121 
