Maslionaland Birds. 249 



122. CERi'LE MAXIMA. (Great African Kingfisher.) 



This giant species is everywhere rather scarce and always 

 very shy. I observed a pair nesting in a hole in the bank 

 of the Umfuli in September 1895. 



123. Alcedo semitorquata. (Half-collared Kingfisher.) 

 Common along the Umfuli, though I have not observed it 



elsewhere. 



124'. CoRYTHORNis CVANOSTIGMA. (Malachitc-crested 

 Kingfisher.) 



This exquisite littie bird is common on every stream 

 throughout the year. 



1 25. Halcyon pallidiventris. (Grey-headed Kingfisher.) 

 This fine Bush-kingfisher is very scarce, and it appears to 



l)e migratory, as I have seen it only during the wet season. 

 The stomach of one example contained a lizard, two slow- 

 worms, grasshoppers, and beetles. 



126. Halcyon chelicutensis. (Striped Kingfisher.) 



A very common resident, but only to be met with in the 

 bush, away from water, where it selects some elevated perch 

 whence it darts upon the insects on which it preys. In the 

 breeding-season the male has a short but very pleasing song, 

 though its ordinary cry is a harsii chatter. Its principal 

 food consists of orthoptera, but I have likewise observed it 

 to feed on butterflies [Junonia cebrene and Catopsilia florella) 

 and beetles. 



127. BucoRAXCAFFER. (South-Africau Grouud-Hombill.) 

 The '' Brown Vogel " is far from common in Mashonaland, 



being more often heard than seen ; it is, moreover, very much 

 more shy than I found it to be in Natal. I am not aware 

 that the Mashonas attribute to it any rain-making qualities, 

 as do the Zulus. 



128. LoPHocEROs EPiRHiNus. (Southcm Grey Hornbill.) 

 A common species, but subject to partial migrations, 



which depend on its food-supply. It occurs in small flocks 

 in the bush, keeping well hidden in the foliage and being 

 somewhat difficult to get near. Its shrill mewing cry 



