‘CERYLE MAXIMA. 111 
Mr. Andersson observes :—“ I do not remember to have seen this 
bird in Damara Land proper, but have occasionally met with it along 
the periodical watercourses and temporary rain-pools of Great 
Namaqua Land, and I have reason to think it may be found per- 
manently on the banks of the Great Fish River, where large pools 
of water, containing fish, exist at all times of the year.” Senor 
Anchieta has met with the species at Capangombe and Gambos in 
Mossamedes, on the Rio Coroca, and more recently on the Cunene 
River. It is also found in Angola, and indeed all over Africa. 
Adult male——Head crested, black, striped narrowly with white, 
plainer on the cheeks ; a broad superciliary line extending down- 
wards on to the sides of the neck, white; the rest of the body black 
varied with white, the latter colour predominating on the lower parts 
of the back and rump ; quills black, white at the base, the seconda- 
ries barred with white, the primaries externally white at the base, 
forming a large white patch ; tail feathers black, spotted and tipped 
with white; under surface of the body pure white with two black 
bands across the breast; a few black marks on the flanks, and some- 
times a few spots on the throat; bill and feet black; ims dark 
brown. 
Adult female.—Similar to the adult male, but has only one band 
across the breast. 
Young.—Similar to the adults, but the plumage above almost 
entirely black, and the breast marked with grey edgings to the fea- 
thers, giving a barred appearance, the band across the breast not 
complete. 
Fig. Sharpe, Monogr. Alced. pl. 19. 
106, Cryin Maxima. Great African Kingfisher. 
This is the largest of the South African Kingfishers, and is very 
widely distributed : it is not at all uncommon, but is migratory and 
we do not know anything of its nidification. It frequents the “Salt 
River,” and other small streams in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, 
perches on trees, and is wary and difficult of approach. It is very 
common at Zoetendals Vley and along the River Zonder End. Mr. 
Rickard reports it from Port Elizabeth, and informs us that it is 
common at Hast London, being very numerous in May; some stay 
all the year, frequenting both the beach and river, and feeding on 
