ALCEDINID^E 



CERYLE 



75 



Habits. The Pied Kingfisher is only found in the neighbour- 

 hood of water, whether that of rivers, lakes, lagoons, or even that 

 of the open sea, where it is not infrequently to be seen fishing 

 among the breakers. This bird, unlike other Kingfishers, does 

 not dive from a fixed perch, but hovers over the water before 



FIG. 28,Ceryle rudis. (From a photograph from life taken by 

 Mr. H. E. Harris.) 



darting on a fish, often at a height of 15 or 20 feet above the 

 surface ; when thus hovering the head and tail are bent down- 

 wards at an angle, the beak pointing vertically downwards ; in this 

 position they poise with quick beats of the wings. As soon as a 

 fish is sighted the wings are nearly, but not quite, closed, and the 

 bird falls headlong down on to its victim, sending up spray and 



