ALCIDININiE. 67 



rufous ; chin white, with a few black spots ; bill and legs 



black. In some specimens the under parts differ in the 



distribution of the colours. Length, 18" ; wing, 8" ; tail, 

 4" 9'" ; bill, 4". 



This, the largest of our kingfishers, is not at all uncommon, and 

 is very widely distributed. It is migratory, and I know nothin|^' of it» 

 nidification. It frequents the " Salt Eiver " and other small streams 

 in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, perches on trees, and is wary 

 and difficult of approach. Its flight resembles that of the American 

 " Belted Kingfisher," and like it, whilst on the wing, it utters a 

 loud chattering cry. Indeed, it so closely resembles Al. Alcyon, 

 thai when I first heard and saw it, I thought an old friend was 

 before me, in a new country ; a near approach, however, soon dis- 

 pelled the illusion. 



Habitat : Cape Colony and Natal, extending into Damaraland. 

 Feeds on crabs, fish, frogs, and reptiles ; very common at Zoetendals 

 Vley and along the River Zonder End. 



110. Oeryle RudiS. (Linn.) pi. Enl. 716; Isi^ida 

 Bicinda, Swain., B. of West Af., p. 95. 



Crested ; body above variegated with black and white ; be- 

 low white, with two black collars on the breast ; nuchal collar 

 white ; head and crest not entirely black, but variegated 

 with narrow white lines. A white coronet extends from the 

 base of the bill over the eye and round the head. Length,, 

 11 A"; wing, Si"; tail, 2". 



This species is not uncommon, and is widely distributed. I have 

 seen it about " Salt Eiver," near Cape Town, but in greater numbers 

 about the rivers, lakes, and estuaries of the Knysna, and have received 

 it from Kuruman, Colesberg, and KafFraria. Mr. Chapman found it 

 all the way to Lake N'Gami. It hovers over the water while fishing, 

 and plunges under the surface in pursuit of its prey. It breeds in 

 holes hoUowed by itself in sandy banks. I took a nest (Nov. 10th, 

 1865,) in a bank of Zoetendals Vley, which was placed at the extremity 

 of a small hole, more than two yards deep. It was composed entirely 

 of fish-bones and scales ; and the eggs, six in number, were of a lovely 

 shining white, almost similar in shape at each end : axis, 14'" ; diam., 

 11"'. At the time I took them, the young were nearly ready for 

 exclusion. 



If I. Bicincta is distinct from I. Rudis, Auct., we certainly possess 

 both species. I have carefully compared specimens with Swainson's 

 description, and they accord entirely, with the exception of the nuchal 

 collar being " white and immaculate.^' I find, however, that it is 

 more broken by the black fine of the ears in some specimens than in 

 others. I have a specimen from Singapore which exactly resembles 

 I. Bicincta ! * 



* Since the above was written, I have examined Swainson's type specimen in the 

 Cambridge Museum, and am satisfied that the species is not separable. 



