KINGFISHERS 169 



without any casque on the bill, whose appearance always 

 fills me with resentment that it should exist at all 

 {Lophoceros melanoleucus). It has a floppy flight, rising 

 and falling as it flaps its way along with inane, shrill 

 cries. Its dull whitish and black plumage has not the pure 

 tints and arresting appearance of the " E'nga-nga," and 

 indeed I find it difiicult to say anything nice about this 

 bird. 



No other hornbills than these two species have been 

 noticed on the islands. 



Next to be mentioned are Kingfishers, and it is curious 

 that the natives have the same name for one very common 

 black and grey spotted species as for Bee-eaters (" Mujolo "), 

 but other kingfishers are known as " Akasimagizi." 



The " Mujolo " kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is extremely 

 common along the lake shore, where shallow water with 

 sandy bottom provides good fishing grounds. Its habits 

 are somewhat different from those of other species, such 

 as our familiar one at home, which plunges into the water 

 from some commanding perch. Ceryle rudis hovers over 

 the water, head hanging down with beak pointing vertically 

 to the surface, wings rapidly beating like those of a kestrel. 

 Often it has to wait a long time, and change its position 

 till some unwary little fish comes near enough to the 

 surface, when the kingfisher plunges in head foremost and 

 secures it. This bird is rather vociferous, and its twittering 

 cry is very often heard as it flies across the water, keeping 

 close to the surface. Another species of Ceryle {C. maxima) 

 is scarce, and of solitary habits, very much larger than 

 any other kingfisher on the islands. It lurks among 

 bushes overhanging the water, and is usually first noticed 

 flying away when it has been disturbed, uttering a loud 

 unmusical bleating cry. 



Beautiful little species of the genus Ispidina (? picta) 

 are often seen among the rushes growing in shallow water 

 or on low t^vigs of ambatch trees just above the water, 



