CHAPTER VIT 

 THE BIEDS OF KIVEK AND VLEI 



KINGFISHERS 



The Kingfishers form the Family Alcedinidse, with live 

 genera. They are nearly always found in the neighbourhood 

 of water, and nest in holes tunnelled in banks and lay shiny 

 white eggs. 



The Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is of a general mottled 

 black and white plumage ; crown crested ; a white collar 

 on the nape of the neck ; the underparts white with, in the 

 case of the male bird, two black bands across the chest, 

 the female possessing but one. Length, about Hi inches. 



This bird is found throughout South Africa. We met 

 with it at Port Alfred (exceedingly common) . Grahamstown 

 (fairly common), Fort Beaufort district, Modder and Valsch 

 Rivers, O.F.S., Modderfontein, Irene, Crocodile and Aapies 

 River, Pretoria district. 



At Port Alfred it is quite common on the beach, where it 

 may even be seen fishing in the sea. It procures its food by 

 hovering over the water and diving headlong, being often 

 completely submerged. Besides lish it feeds on frogs and 

 Crustacea. 



The Giant Kingfisher (Ceryle maxima) — called the Groote 

 Vischvanger by the Dutch is the largest member of the 

 family in South Africa, with a total length of about 17 

 inches, it is black and while above, the white taking the 

 form of circular spots ; throat and abdomen white, marked 



228 



