CHAPTEE VII 



THE BIEDS OP EIVEE AND VLEI 



KINGFISHERS 



The Kingfishers form the Family Alcedinidae, with five 

 genera. They are nearly always found in the neighbourhood 

 of water of some description, and nest in holes tunnelled in 

 banks and lay shiny white eggs. 



The Pied Kingfisher {Geryle rudis) is of a general mottled 

 black and white plumage ; crown crested ; a white collar 

 on the nape of the neck ; the under-parts white with, in the 

 case of the male bird, two black bands across the chest, 

 the female possessing but one. Length, about 11| inches. 



This bird is found throughout South Africa. We met 

 with it at Port Alfred (exceedingly common), Grahamstown 

 (fairly common), Beaufort district, Modder and Valsch 

 Elvers, O.F.S., Modderfontein, Irene, Crocodile and Aapies 

 Eiver, Pretoria district, Tvl. 



At Port Alfred it is quite common on the beach, where it 

 may even be seen fishing in the sea. It procures its food by 

 hovering over the water and diving headlong, being often 

 completely submerged. Besides fish it feeds on frogs and 

 Crustacea. 



The Giant Kingfisher {Geryle maxima) — called the Groote 

 Vischvanger by the Dutch — ^is the largest member of the 

 family in South Africa, with a total length of about 17 

 iaches. It is black and white above, the white taldng' the 

 form of circular spots ; throat and abdomen white, marked 



