BIEDS OF EGYPT. 167 



Plumage very similar to that of A. ispida, but rather 

 brighter. It is a smaller bird, and may be most readUy 

 distinguished from the foregoiug by its greater length of bill. 



Entire length 5*8-6"6 inches; culmen r65-2; wing, 

 carpus to tip, 2*6-2"9. 



These measurements are taken from Mr. Sharpe's ' Mono- 

 graph of the Alcedinidse.' 



Fig. Sharpe's Monogr. Alced. pi. 2. 



145. Ceryle rudis (Linn.). Black and White Kingfisher. 



Abundant throughout Egypt and Nubia. It may be 

 daily seen, generally in pairs, perched upon the steep bank or 

 the stranded roots of some tree that has been carried down 

 by the river. At times, with beak directed downwards, it 

 hovers over the water, into which it darts boldly after its 

 finny prey ; if unsuccessful, it will repeat the performance 

 until it captures a fish, when it flies to the bank to enjoy the 

 repast at its ease. Sometimes it flies slowly close over the 

 surface of the water. 



It begins breeding about the end of March, when it drills 

 deep holes in the steep river-banks to place its nest in. 



Head crested. The whole of the upper plumage, with the 

 wings and tail pure black and white, sharply defined ; under 

 surface of the body pure silvery white, with the following 

 markings : — in the adult female, only one large black patch 

 on each side of the upper part of the breast, which nearly 

 meets in tlie centre, and a few black marks ou the flanks ; the 

 male has in addition an entire narrow black collar across the 



