Dr. J. Kirk on the Birds of the Zambesi Begion. 325 



71. Irrisor erythrorhynchus. 



Habits the same as of the next species, than which it is more 

 local. Near the head of the Lower Shire valley it was particularly 

 abundant. 



72. Irrisor cyanomelas (Smith). 



A noisy chattering bird, found in bush-country and forest, 

 commonly near rivers. In its flight it is peculiar, rising suddenly, 

 and again descending more slowly while it flies along. Occurs 

 in flocks of about twelve, which, on settling in a bush, run 

 quickly up the branches and round the stem in search of insects. 



Fam. ALCEDINIDiE. 



73. Alcedo cristata. 



Universal on all the waters, sitting on the reeds or bushes 

 which overhang them, and darting on its prey. 



A larger species of Alcedo was observed among the rapids of 

 the Shire, but not anywhere else. 



74. Ceryle MAXIMA. Native name, " Chidoldc " and " Ma- 

 chengwen." 



Frequent throughout the country on the courses of the rivers ; 

 feeds exclusively on fish, which it catches when on the wing by 

 dropping suddenly, carrying its prey off in the bill, and 

 swallowing it at its leisure, perched on a tree. 



75. Ceryle rudis. Native name, " Kapa-kapa." 

 Abundant on all rivers and lakes throughout the region, 



catching the fish by dropping suddenly from above. It com- 

 monly makes many unsuccessful attempts before getting any- 

 thing. 



7Q. Halcyon striolata. Native name, " Mombudzu." 

 Widely distributed, and equally common on the sea-coast 



among the mangroves, and near the river far in the interior; 



also in the plains. Its food consists of insects, which it seems 



to catch on the wing. It is a sweet songster, both before and 



during the rains. 



Fam. BUCEROTID^. 



'77. BUCORAX ABYSSINICUS. 



Widely spread, but nowhere plentiful, and difficult to obtain, 



