84 ALCEDINID^E ISPIDINA 



coverts and collar rufous-brown washed with metallic-lilac ; a streak 

 of bright metallic-blue behind the ear-coverts, followed by one of 

 white ; wings dusky, the coverts tipped with ultramarine ; tail 

 dusky-blue ; throat and chin white, all the rest of the under surface 

 rufous. 



Iris dark brown ; bill coral-red ; legs and feet red. 



Length about 5-0; wing 21; tail 1-0; culmen O90 ; tarsus O30. 



The sexes are alike ; the young birds have black bills and the 

 blue of the back is a shade of cobalt rather than ultramarine. 



Distribution. The type of this species, described by Sir A. 

 Smith, is stated to have come from " the eastward of Cafferland." 

 Though hitherto not definitely recorded from within the boundaries 

 of the Colony it will probably be found in the extreme eastern 

 portion.* It is common in the coast lands of Natal and has been 

 once observed (by Eeid) at Colenso. From Natal it is spread 

 through Zululand northwards to the Zambesi, though not yet 

 noticed in Mashonaland. Beyond our area the Natal Kingfisher is 

 recorded from Nyasaland and Mozambique, but according to 

 Reichenow its place is taken in German east Africa by the allied 

 species Ispidina picta. 



Habits. This little Kingfisher is by no means confined to the 

 neighbourhood of rivers and water ; it is often found in thick bush 

 at some distance away ; a favourite resort is a dry, wooded "donga" 

 where it perches on trees, on the blades of reeds or even telegraph 

 wires. It feeds chiefly on insects, butterflies, and locusts, which it 

 not infrequently catches on the wing ; the Woodwards also found 

 the remains of a crab in the stomach of one individual. Both 

 Millar and the Woodwards have taken the eggs from the earth of 

 an Ant-bear (Oryctcropus a/er). In Mr. Millar's case there was a 

 small hole about two inches in diameter, branching upwards from 

 the Ant-bear's hole about three feet from the entrance ; a short 

 distance along the hole was a single egg of this species while a little 

 further along the same hole was a nest with three eggs of the Saw- 

 winged Swallow (Psalidoprocne holomelaema) ; the Ant-bear in the 

 meantime still retained possession of the larger burrow. A clutch of 

 four eggs taken by the same gentleman, is now in the South African 

 Museum ; they are rounded and glistening white, like those of other 

 Kingfishers ; they measure 0*70 x 0'65. 



It has been recently obtained by Shortridge at Port St. John in Pondoland. 



