The LAUGHING JACKASS, or SETTLER'S CLOCK (_Paralcyon gigas_, or _Dacelo
gigantea_), an interesting and very familiar species, inhabiting
Australia, is dark brown on the back, and dull yellowish white on the
under side; the lower part of the back and wing-covers are of a blueish
shade; the tail-covers rust-red, striped with black; the long, pointed
feathers on the head have the shafts streaked with brown; the bristle-like
ear-feathers are black; the exterior quills are blackish brown, and white
at the root; and the tail-feathers rust-red, striped with black, and
marked with white at the tips and sides of the inner web. The female is
paler in hue, and less decidedly marked upon the head. This bird is from
seventeen to eighteen inches long, and more than two feet across the span
of the wings; the wing measures eight inches. The tail is seven inches
long.
"The _Dacelo gigantea_," says Gould, "is a bird with which every traveller
in New South Wales is acquainted, for, independently of its large size,
its voice is so extraordinary as to be unlike that of any other living
creature. In its disposition it is by no means shy, and when any new
objects are presented to its notice--such as a party traversing the bush,
or pitching their tent--it becomes very prying and inquisitive, often
perching on the dead branch of some neighbouring tree, and watching with
the greatest curiosity the kindling of the fire and the preparation of the
meal. Its presence, however, owing to the quietude with which it passes
through the forest, and the almost noiseless manner in which it settles,
is seldom detected, until it emits its extraordinary gurgling, laughing
note, which has obtained for it the name of the 'Laughing Jackass.'"
Captain Sturt describes this strange cry as "resembling a chorus of wild
spirits." Gould states that this species seldom or never drinks, and is
therefore as much at home on arid plains as near the coast or river-banks.
"Its food, which is of a mixed character," continues the same writer,
"consists of animal substances. Reptiles, insects, and crabs, however,
appear to be its favourite diet; it devours lizards with avidity, and it
is not uncommon to see it bearing off a snake in its bill, to be eaten
at leisure. Unlike most other species, the _Dacelo gigantea_ frequents
every variety of situation; the luxuriant brushes extending along the
coast, the more thinly-timbered forest, the belts of trees studding
the parched plains, and the brushwood of the higher ranges being alike
favoured by its presence. Over all these localities it is dispersed, but
is nowhere numerous. It breeds during the months of August and September,
and generally selects a hole in a large gum-tree for the purpose; making
no nest, but depositing its beautiful pearl-white eggs on the decomposed
wood at the bottom of the hole. The parent bird defends its young with
the greatest courage and daring, darting down upon any intruder who may
attempt to ascend the tree, and inflicting severe and even dangerous
wounds with its pointed bill. It bears confinement remarkably well, and is
one of the most amusing birds for an aviary with which I am acquainted."
* * * * *
The PARADISE ALCYONS (_Tanysiptera_) are recognisable from the above
groups by the unusual length of the centre tail-feathers; the beak,
somewhat longer than the head, is conical in form, its upper mandible
almost straight, while the lower one curves slightly upwards. In the wing,
the fourth quill exceeds the rest in length; the long and graduated tail
varies considerably in its formation.