﻿seen one. But the unspotted back of Swainson's plate would bring the bird at once 

 near Ceryle sharpii, and it is, therefore, well to state that this omission is evidently caused 

 by the carelessness of the colourist, for both in Swainson's and Hartlaub's descrip- 

 tions the bird is said to have the back spotted. The absence of bars on the abdomen at 

 once shews that it is not Ceryle sharpii, which is, I believe, a very good species indeed. An 

 examination of the type-specimen proves that it cannot be referred to any stage of plumage 

 of C. maxima, by reason of the intense barring on the abdomen and under wing- and tad- 

 coverts. It is a very old bird, and therefore exhibits characters exactly contrary to C. 

 maxima, which, as it becomes old, quickly loses all bars on these parts, leaving them of a pure 

 white. A comparison of the plates, however, will best exhibit the difference between the 

 two species. To return to our subject, Reichenbach's figures intended to represent Ceryle 

 maxima (figs. 3101 and 3102) are really nothing but the young male and female, while his 

 figures of the bird he calls C. gigantea (figs 3103 and 3486), the former a copy of 

 Swainson's plate above referred to, represent old male and female birds. Mr. Gurney's 

 descriptions are correct, as also are those given by Drs. Hartlaub and Finsch. 



The following notice of the habits of Cergle maxima has been given me by my friend 

 Mr. J. J. Monteiro, who has contributed so largely to our knowledge of West African 

 Ornithology. 



"This very fine bird I have only seen on the River Quanza (Coanza), generally on the 

 bare or dead branches of trees overhanging the river, sitting upright, with its head at nearly 

 right angles to its body, and the crest at the back prominently exhibited. The flight is 

 heavy and slow." 



Mr. Ayres states that in Natal, "these birds frequent the rivers and lakes, and are not 

 found far from the coast. They feed entirely on fish, which they dart on from their perch 

 on a bough above. When flying, they make a loud chattering noise, audible at a great 

 distance. They generally roost at night at the same pool and on the same pond for a length 

 of time, wandering away in the day-time and returning at night. I find in some of them 

 intestinal worms (somewhat similar to the wire-worm of England) which eat into their flesh 

 and entrails, but do not seem to injure the health of the bird." 



Mr. Layard (I.e.) has published the following note : — 



"This, the largest of our Kingfishers, is not at all uncommon, and is very widely dis- 

 tributed. It is migratory, and I know nothing of its habits. It frequents the "Salt 

 River" and other small streams in the neigbourhood of Cape Town, perches on trees, and 

 is wary and difficult of approach. Its flight resembles that of the American Belted 

 Kingfisher, and like that species, whilst on the wing, it utters a loud chattering cry. 

 Indeed it so closely resembles Al. alcyon that when I first heard and saw it, I thought an old 

 friend was before me, in a new country; a near approach, however soon dispelled the 

 illusion. Habitat : Cape Colony and Natal extending into Damara Land. Feeds on crabs, 

 fish, frogs and reptiles; very common at Zoetendals valley and along the river Zonder 

 End." 



In a recent number of the "Ibis" Mr. Layard adds that his friend W. Atmore informs 

 him that he "once found one of these birds with his bill shattered, evidently against a stone 

 while striking his prey in too shallow water." 



Mr. Kirk (I.e.) found the present species in the Zambesi country "frequent through- 

 out the country on the courses of the rivers, feeding exclusively on fish which he catches 

 when on the wing by dropping suddenly, carrying its prey off in the bill, and swallowing 

 it at its leisure, perched on a tree." 



The figures in the plate represent an old male in my own possession collected by 

 Andersson at the Knysna on the 10th of March, 1866, and a female from among Mr. 

 Ayres' Natal specimens, lent me by Mr. Gumey. The descriptions and measurements are 

 also from the same birds. The young male and female are described from specimens in my 

 own collection from South Africa and the River Gambia. 



