104 Mr. B. Alexander — An Ornithological 



118, ISPIDINA NATALENSIS (Smith). 



Not often noticed, and more retiring by nature than the 

 preceding species, frequenting thick places near the river. 



An adult female obtained on January 10 had the breeding- 

 organs largely developed. 



149. Halcyon pallidiventris (Cab.). 



Common. Both adult and immature specimens obtained. 



150. Halcyon orientalis (Peters). 



Towards the end of November, the time of pairing, these 

 Kingfishers become very noisy, and much rivalry exists 

 among the males on account of the females. The following 

 observation is from my notebook : — '' Nov. 2G. Observed 

 three Kingfishers [H. orientalis). They were making a 

 great noise, two males courting the one female. The 

 males frequently uttered shrill notes, followed by a loud 

 running chatter, which resounded among the trees. Now 

 and again one of them would face the female and spread 

 out his wings to their full extent, and then, as if to show 

 off their beauty, he would quickly turn his back upon 

 her, the wings all the while fully outstretched, the beautiful 

 blue wing-bands showing out to advantage, and the next 

 moment he would face her again. This movement was 

 repeated without intermission, as if the bird was on a pivot." 



Adult (^ . Total length (measured in flesh) 11 inches; 

 wing 4-1 ; culmen 1"8; tail 2*9. Iris brown; bill, legs, and 

 feet coral-red. 



Adult ?. Total length (measured in flesh) 9 inches; 

 wing 4; culmen TB ; tail 2'8. Colours as in male. 



151. Halcyon chelicutensis (Stanl.). 

 Well distributed. 



153. COLIUS STRIATUS (Gm.). 



Found on the lower reaches of the river from Tete down- 

 ward ; beyond that town its place appears to be taken by 

 C. erythromelon. These birds frequent in bands the thick 

 tops of tall bushes, and they so entangle themselves in the 

 maze of twigs that they often find it a matter of great 



