CHAPTER IX.

THE JACAMARS, PUFF BIRDS, KINGFISHERS, HORNBILLS, AND HOOPOES.

THE JACAMARS--THE PUFF BIRDS--THE KINGFISHERS--Characters--THE COMMON KINGFISHER--Distribution--Its Cry--Habits--After its Prey--Its own Nest-builder--Mr. Rowley’s Note on the Subject--Nest in the British Museum--Superstitions concerning the Kingfisher--Colour--Various Species--CRESTED KINGFISHER--PIED KINGFISHER--Dr. Von Heuglin’s Account of its Habits--New World Representatives--OMNIVOROUS KINGFISHERS--THE AUSTRALIAN CINNAMON-BREASTED KINGFISHER--Macgillivray’s Account of its Habits--THE LAUGHING JACKASS of Australia--Its Discordant Laugh--The “Bushman’s Clock”--Colour--Habits--THE HORNBILLS--Character--Their Heavy Flight--Noise produced when on the Wing--Food--Extraordinary Habit of Imprisoning the Female--Native Testimony--Exception--Fed by the Male Bird--Dr. Livingstone’s Observations on the point, and Mr. Bartlett’s Remarks--Strange Gizzard Sacs--Dr. Murie’s Remarks--Mr. Wallace’s Description of the Habits of the Hornbills--Capture of a Young One in Sumatra--THE GROUND HORNBILLS--South African Species--Kaffir Superstition regarding it--Habits--Mr. Ayres’ Account of the Natal Species--How it Kills Snakes--The Call--Habits--Mr. Monteiro’s Description of the Angola Form--Turkey-like Manner--Wariness--Food--THE HOOPOES--Appearance--Distribution--THE COMMON HOOPOE--Habits--The Name--How does it produce its Note?--THE WOOD HOOPOES--Habits 343