The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-05-25
4 Remarkable KtnOfsHer.

mere are OFCI Hibl Cl'NCiS' " NAiS
haIcyoaida or kingfshcrs but none
is more remarkable than the one
shown in our illustration. From its
peculiar screaming laugh, not unlike
the BRAY of donkey, it has obtained
the name of 'the laughing j;ackass." )"
Its geological name is dGceio, one spe-
cies, d. gjGns, being large bird, IS
inches long, and endowed with
strength and courage; it feeds indis-
criminatelv on anv animals ofsuitable
size, whether quadrnped, bird reptile,
fish, insect, or. crustacean. 1t IS a
handsome bird, being brightly colored;
ard its flight is quick and nolseiess
It's powerful bill makes it very Tor
midablc enemy.
The Illustrated NeUs, of Adelaide,
Australia, from whose pages we select
the engraving, gives the following par
ticulars of this interesting bird: The
laughing jackass is almost too well
known to need description. His ap-
pear nee and extraordinary notes are
familiar to the inhabitants of every
country village. Indeed, he frequent
lv extends his researches into the
neighborhood Of towns, occasionally
taking uD his abode for life in some
healthy suburb, and punctuaIiy enter
tanning the inhabitants thereof, morn
inc and evening, with succession OF
those singular sounds which have rem
dered his name famous. Although
kinrfisher, he never prOcures his TODD
from the water, after the orthodox
1 - hut l,oG
the habits of bird Of prey. Sitting
motionless among the lower branches
of some tall gum tree unnOtlccd, and
apparently half asleep, he waits, like
Micawber, for something to turn up.
Suddenly, without noise, he drops oil
his bough and flies direct to 4 certain
spot, whence he soon returns, bearing
in his beak lizard, a small snake, or
perhaps a rat. His acuteness of sight
is extraoI di9ary. From his elevated
post he seems to miss nothing, and
discerns his prey in swamps and Gre
vi =, of rocks ut a distance that is per-
lectly astounding. The laughing
iackass has the advantage of being
able to live on almost anything that
presents itself, hence it IS always i'll
good condition, and apparently in.
good humOr. 1t seems, indeed, to
pass its life in selfcongratulations
and when four or five meet and unite
their voices, and they Invariably do,
morning and evening, the noise would
suggest the idea that party of de-
mons had broken loose and were re-
ioicing over some piece of successful
mischief. But IN spite of his careless,
happy life, the laughing jaclass has
his peculiar duty, and be performs it
conscientiouSly Snake killing is his
specially; lizards, frogs, beetles, small
birds, rats, etc, are his usual food.
In fact, nothing comes amiss to him
let 4 snake appca; upon the scene, and
the laughing iackass recognizes his
quarry ut once Never hesitating, he
makes straight for it, his agitation be-
ing observable by the quiyering crest
feathers With some caution, he
swoops backwards and forwards, seek
ing an opportunity to seize the rep
tile The snake, with head erect,
ready to strike, keeps on the alert.
The excitement continues for some
time llll tlc Dliu HldllN SttLlCS tD"b,
close by, on the ground. But all his
stolid heavy appearance is gone. His
wings and tail quiver with agitation
and eagerness. FJllv alive to the
dangerous character of his opponent
hc keeps at a safe distance. Fitting
round, his head jusS out of reach, he
continues to annoy him. till becoming
exhausted, the snake affords him the
opportunity he is seeking. With the
rapidity ofli2htining the bird dcscends
upon his prey, then rises in the air,
bearing with him the captured snake,
neatly held just behind the head, in
such position as to render him per
fcctlv povetless. Rising until he has
attained n considerable height, he di-
rects his flight to more open part of
the country, then suddenly backing in
the air. he drops Che reptile, following
it down and reaching the ground al
most at the same time. Stunned and
bruised, the unfortunate snake is in no
condition to renew the contest, and is
very soon despatched aid eaten 10y his
victorious enemy. ."-Scientifc -4mert-