Expedition to the Zambesi River. 103 



145. Ckryle rudis (Linn.). 



This species is more uiimerous below Tete than it is 

 bejoncl. To the traveller, as he glides down the river in his 

 canoe, these birds soon become a familiar sight, as they sit 

 on the protruding roots ot" the steep banks, the ruddy- brown 

 colour of which sets off to advantage their chequered plumage 

 of black and white. This Kingfisher is indefatigable in 

 searching after prey. Hard by a great stretch of glaring 

 hot sandbank deserted by even the wading fraternity, it 

 may be seen throughout the day hovering in mid-air, and 

 shifting constantly its position to more likely spots. Many 

 a time it will dart down into the water like an arrow, and 

 then rise up again without catching anything; but it goes 

 on as persistently as ever, till its efforts are rewarded with 

 success. 



We once witnessed a pretty example of solicitude towards 

 its mate on the part of this bird. Tlie male was the first to 

 attract our attention as it hovered, with long beak pointed 

 downward, over a shallow portion of the river after the 

 manner of a Kestrel. After a sudden closing of the wings, 

 followed by a little cloud of spray, it rose the next moment 

 from the water with a fish in its beak. Tiie bird then 

 immediately flew towards an old snag in mid-stream, where 

 the female was perched, patiently awaiting the return of her 

 consort, whom she now welcomed with a tremulous fluttering 

 of her wings. Then the male proceeded to despatch the still 

 wriggling fish by beating it backward and forward against one 

 of the thickest roots, after which the fish disappeared down 

 the female's throat. 



This method of killing its prey, which renders it in better 

 condition for swallowing^ is constantly resorted to, especially 

 when the fish is large, as it was in this instance. 



146. Ceryle maxima (Pall.). 



Single individuals now and then were observed. 



147. CORYTHORNIS CYANOSTIGMA (Rupp.). 



Common. 



