Expedition to the Zambesi River. 103 
145. Ceryle rudis (Linn.). 
This species is more numerous below Tete than it is 
beyond. To the traveller, as he glides down the river in his 
canoe, these birds soon become a familiar sight, as they sit 
on the protruding roots of the steep banks, the ruddy-brown 
colour of which sets off to advantage their chequered plumage 
of black and white. This Kingfisher is indefatigable in 
searching after prey. Hard by a great stretch of glaring 
•hot sandbank deserted by even the wading fraternity, it 
may be seen throughout the day hovering in mid-air, and 
shifting constantly its position to more likely spots. Many 
a time it will dart down into the water like an arrow, and 
then rise up again without catching anything; but it goes 
on as persistently as ever, till its efforts are rewarded with 
success. 
We once witnessed a pretty example of solicitude towards 
its mate on the part of this bird. The male was the first to 
attract our attention as it hovered, with long beak pointed 
downward, over a shallow portion of the river after the 
manner of a Kestrel. After a sudden closing of the wings, 
followed by a little cloud of spray, it rose the next moment 
from the water with a fish in its beak. The bird then 
immediately flew towards an old snag in mid-stream, where 
the female was perched, patiently awaiting the return of her 
consort, whom she now welcomed with a tremulous fluttering 
of her wings. Then the male proceeded to despatch the still 
wriggling fish by beating it backward and forward against one 
of the thickest roots, after which the fish disappeared down 
the female’s throat. 
This method of killing its prey, which renders it in better 
condition for swallowing, is constantly resorted to, especially 
when the fish is large, as it was in this instance. 
146. Ceryle maxima (Pall.). 
Single individuals now and then were observed. 
147. CORYTHORNIS CYANOSTIGMA (Rupp.). 
Common. 
