The YELLOW-HEADED WOOD ALCYON (_Todiramphus chlorocephalus_), a species
inhabiting Java, is of a metallic green on the back, and white on the
under side; the cheek-stripes, which pass behind the neck and unite on the
back, are black; a spot on the sides of the brow, and a line on the nape,
are both dirty white; the eye is yellowish, the upper mandible entirely
black, the lower one yellowish white at its base, with black tip. This
species is nine inches long; the wing measures four inches and a half, and
the tail two inches and three-quarters.
[Illustration: THE LAUGHING JACKASS (_Paralcyon gigas_, or _Dacelo
gigantea_).]
According to Bernstein, this species is one of the commonest of the
birds inhabiting Java; and is to be seen on the banks of every river
or streamlet that is not at any great distance from trees, and from a
projecting stone or branch patiently spying out the approach of any insect
or tiny fish. Its flight is usually accompanied by the repeated utterance
of its clear loud cry. The nest consists of a bed of dry leaves and moss
placed in a hollow in the ground, protected by an overhanging stone. The
three or four eggs have a dull white shell.