7i 
THE LAUGHING JACKASS. 
It differs somewhat in habits from most of the immediate 
group to which it belongs, living in the woods, frequently far 
from water; its diet is also more mixed than is customary 
with its kind, as it eats not only fish, but small quadrupeds, 
birds, and reptiles. 
Its common name is derived from its cry, which has a 
striking resemblance to a hoarse laugh. 
The common kingfisher of our country, which is often 
seen sitting motionless on a branch over the water, watching 
intently for a small fish to pass within its reach, is the Belted 
Kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon). 
Quite a number of cuckoos are in existence throughout the 
world, very few being natives of America. The Chapparal 
Cock ( Geococcyx c aliform anus), also known as Road Runner, 
from the extraordinary speed with which it runs, and the 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ), belong to this 
family. 
Among the trogons are numbered some of the most beau¬ 
tiful and gorgeous birds of the American fauna. The Cuban 
Trogon (. Prionotelus temnurus ), a richly and highly-colored 
member of the family, will be found in the collection ;—it is 
a very rare bird, the difficulty of keeping them alive making 
them to be one of the most unusual birds met with in a col¬ 
lection. Ramon de la Sagra thus describes its habits in his 
“Histoire de l’lsle de Cuba”:— 
“This Trogon, one of the most splendid members of its 
