244 Mr. J. H. Gurney's List of a Collection of Birds 



Dr. Ilartlaub's measurements of the two supposed species are 

 as follows : — 



Cma-Tzmfl:— Long. 17i-18". Rostr. 2"9"'. Al. 7" 3'". Gaud. 

 4" 5"'. 



C. gigantea :— Long. 151". Rostr. 3" 1'". Al. 7" 10"'. Gaud. 

 41". 



The dimensions of six specimens sent to me from Natal are 



as follows : — 



Long. tota. Rostri. Alse. Caudae. 



No. 1. 6 Adult 17 H 8 4i 



No. 2. S Adult 15f 3i 8 4^ 



No. 3. d Immature... 16 3i 7f 4» 



No. 4. 2 Adult 16^ 3^ 8 4f 



No. 5. 5 Immature ... 17 3 8 4| 



No. 6. ? Immature... 16^ 3} 8 44 



The above particulars appear to me clearly to indicate that the 

 minute details of measurement in this Kingfisher are subject to 

 a good deal of individual variation, and ought not to be too 

 much relied on as grounds of specific distinction. 



In this as in several other species of the genus Ceryle, the 

 females are distinguished from the males by the greater amount 

 of rufous colouring on their lower surface. Mr. Ayres having 

 carefully noted the sex of his specimens, I am able to give the 

 following particulars of the colouring of the sexes in this species. 

 My remarks will be confined to the under side of the bird, the 

 upper parts being the same in both males and females. 



6 Adult. Throat and chin white, bordered on the sides 

 with black and white mixed : chest rufous, also bordered on the 

 sides with black and white : abdomen white ; sides white, with 

 transverse bars of black : under tail-coverts white, spotted with 

 black, the spots in some specimens forming transverse bars : 

 feathers on the under side of the wing white. 



? Adult. Throat and chin as in adult 6 : chest slate- 

 coloured, varied by the feathers having black centres and being 

 also more or less barred with transverse white markings ; the 

 slate-colour and black jjredominating on the upper part of the 

 chest, and the white on the lower part adjoining the abdomen : 

 abdomen, sides, under tail-coverts, and feathers on the under 

 side of the win^s uniform rich rufous. 



