21 
it wliolc, and ^vea vent to its satiafaction by pourin^^ ont its lond and 
heartylaugh. Thislaugbisthcfiratsonndthebusbmanhearsinthomorn¬ 
ing, and the last at night. The bird is in consequence fi’equently 
called the settler’s clock, is a universal favourite, and is seldom 
shot, except by tlie thoughtless boy. In colour it is brown, the head 
and beak are largo, and as it ruffles the crest feathers frequently, this 
makes the head appear larger than it is, and still more ungainly. The 
nest is simply the decayed wood of a hollow spout of a gum tree, and 
the eggs are white. The other Kingfishers are all more or less blue 
in colour, like the Alcyone of Europe. One species that frequents 
the river’s banks is very similar in appearance and habits to the Eng¬ 
lish bird; but others, which are common about the homesteads do not 
trouble themselves about the water, but in their habits are similar to 
those of the Laughing Jackass. The names of the two most common 
species are the Sacred Kingfisher (Jialcyon sancttis')^ and the M‘Leay 
Kingfislier {cyanalcyon Macleayi). The last named bii*d can easily 
be distinguished by reason of its white collar. 
Tlie ARTAMin.® or Wood-swallows are a family of birds, the head¬ 
quarters of wliich is in Australia. There are several species of them, 
and the immigrant will recognise them when he observes a group of 
birds, about the size of a starling, and of a brown or gi'ey color, which 
from time t-o time fly from the branch they are perched upon, and 
sail in a swallow-like manner, until the insect that is being hunted is 
caught, when they return to the same branch. They arc fearless of 
man, and frequently nest in trees near the homestead; like the bee- 
eater, they are fatal to bees, and will soon decimate an apiaiy. 
The Paudalo'JKS are another family of buds peculiarly Australian. 
There are several species of them, all of small size, all very prettily 
marked with dots or spots of yellow or red or black. They all have a 
sweet plaintive note, which is incessantly uttered. They would 
escape the notice of any but the observant settler, if it were not for 
their habit of buiTowing tunnels, three feet in length, in the sides of 
the wells and water-holes, at the end of which they excavate a cham¬ 
ber, and build a loosely formed nest. The common name for them is 
Diamond hiid. 
There are no true Shrikes in Australia, but there is a family of 
Crow-siirtkes, some species of which arc common iii Queensland. 
The membera of one genus are called Butcher-birds, and well they 
deserve the name, for they are bold and ruthless destroyers of small 
birds, their eggs and young; also, they hesitate not to fly under the 
verandah, ami tear the canaiy from its cage ; the long thin bejik, with 
its powerful hook at the end, being admirably formed for this purpose. 
The bushmen give tliem the absui'd name of “ Van Dieman’s Land 
jackass,” presumably because of some slight i*cscmhlanco they have to 
the laughing jackass. They have a musical melodious song, but of 
short duration. 
The Austualtan Magpie is classed among these Crow-shrikes. 
This is a noble bird—handsome in its contrasting colora of .black and 
wliite. Like the laughing jackass, it is a universal favorite, and it is 
