Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-14
A Laughing Jackass.
Fro,u "TAe lin of Franz R,,eL1,.

From "The Life Of Frank BucklaRd."
Among the birds of Australia know none
more extraordinary than the Laughing
Jackass." He is a true kingfisher alike IN
his personal appearance, his structure and
his habits. Ones idea, however, OF a king
fisher II generally associated with a water
loving bird; but this Australian king6sher is
not water-bird, but land bird, and preys
not upon fish, but rather upon grubs, worms
snakes. frogs, mice, etc. he rs, IN fact. scav-
enger, In the true sense ~ the word. For the
last few days have had q Laughing Jack
ass IN my possessions line a jackass as
could be found within 100 miles Of st. Taul's.
In fact, had only one fault 20 1nd with him,
and that was that hs would never laugh
The cause Of this defect IN his education pos
siuly may have been that i never gave him
anything 90 laugh about; this, however, was
not my fault, tor gave him plenty Of good
anu wholesome food IN the shape of raw
neat etc. which he took with n dignity be-
coming this most distinguished OF strangers.
Wishing, moreover, 10 try his destructive
powers, showed him one day mouse: in a
moment all his feathers hrstled up, and he
appeared 10 be like an enraged tom cat
twice his natural size. / held the mouse to
his cage, and IN an Instant he seized the AMI
mal win MS tremendous beak, and GUIDED
hin down with apparently tue greatest salts
faction. lie then began a slight litter, which
/ trusted hr WOu Il increase gradually TO a
laugh, but suppose he thought 10 an occa-
sion hardly worth laughing about 90 he shut
mp his feathers again. and composed himself
10 sleep In this attitude fanciod detected
81 sly expression ABOUT his eve. as much as 10
say; u know you want me TO laugh; / can
laugh " like, bat VIII not laugh.n
NV bird was about the size OF large mag
PIE, very Ike an English kinghsher IN general
shape; though his color WAS brown, still he
was very pretty bird-so beautiful, indeed.
was he that = lads borrowed him. for u day or
80, 20 exhibit him at bazaar in the Hanover
square rooms. Here I understand, he was
much admired by the fair visitors: though.
from all ] hear, he did not apprec iato the
compliment as much as he ought. la due time
he was brought back home. / gave him his
breakfast, and put him out in the sun. which
ne much enjoyed after hls sOjOurn IN hot,
crowded rUom. turned my back for m0-
nent. ANA looking round again was perfectly
hVrrlheu 90 what ] cav. Alas. ains!
the Jackass had found bar OF
the cage which had been
broken nc the hazar. had tested 10 with biz
beas, ana, hndirg that 10 yielded. had pulled
~ on one side AMI npwn away. Delighted
win ms cleVcruess. and. possibly. also re
loicing az the discontinue ~ bis owner, away
he heW into Regents park. One parting
tareWei only ne gave me-. the rascal actually
stonped M hta hight. and for The Grst aud last
TIME hedrn Pc hearfV fdHgh. The poor bird
had ~ last found out something 10 laugh
about, namely that be- bad made his escape
most cleverly, and that. though he had been
denominatcd a iackase. his actions and the
clover manner 10 which be- got out of the cage
proved most enectually that he wac really no
iRckass nc all.