709 
hy Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 
412. Ceryle rudis. 
CC. Plettenberg Bay, Mcli. (6); Z. Umfolosi Station, 
July, Aug., Sept. (6) ; Tv. Klein Letaba, Aug., Sept. (8 ); 
P. Beira, Feb. (1) ; Tete, Aug., Sept. (2). 
[_ u Isicuva " of the Zulus. 
This Kingfisher is quite the commonest in South Africa, 
and was noted or taken in every locality visited from the 
Cape to the Zambesi, excepting Namaqnaland. It is usually 
seen in pairs or threes and occasionally fours or halfdozens, 
the latter probably old and young. It systematically works 
the water, hovering with the bill pointed vertically down¬ 
wards ; on seeing a shoal of fish it shuts its wings, and 
drops like a stone head first on to its victim, which it 
devours on the wing if it is small, or ; if large, takes to the 
bank to swallow. 
This Kingfisher perches on reeds, low bushes, and dead 
branches, and is often seen sitting on the ground, yet it 
never fishes from such positions, but always on the wing. 
The cry is a sharp “ kwik,” and is, I believe, merely a 
call-note. It is very tame, passing very near when on the 
wing and fishing within a few yards of people ; when settled, 
it will allow itself to be approached quite close before taking 
wing. I have never succeeded in finding the nest of this 
species. 
The soft parts are:—Irides dark brown ; bill, legs and 
toes black.] 
413. Ceryle maxima. 
CC. Plettenberg Bay, Mcli. (1); Z. Ngoye Hills, Oct. (2); 
Tv. Klein Letaba, Sept. (2). 
Three eggs taken at Klein Letaba, Sept. 9, measure about 
46 x 36 mm. 
[I have observed the Giant Kingfisher in the Knysna 
district of Cape Colony, Zululand, Klein Letaba, and in 
the Beira, Gorongoza, and Tete districts of Portuguese East 
Africa. It is everywhere very wild, and nowhere can it be 
said to be plentiful. Always observed in pairs and frequent¬ 
ing both large and small rivers or streams and occasionally 
lagoons and lakes, it is perhaps more partial to well- 
ser. ix.— vol. v. 3 b 
