Mashonaland Birds. 
249 
122. Ceryle maxima. (Great African Kingfisher.) 
This giant species is everywhere rather scarce and always 
very shy. I observed a pair nesting in a hole in the bank 
of the TJmfuli in September 1895. 
123. Alcedo semitorquata. (Half-collared Kingfisher.) 
Common along the Umfuli, though I have not observed it 
elsewhere. 
124. Corythornis CYANOSTIGMA. (Malachite-crested 
Kingfisher.) 
This exquisite littie bird is common on every stream 
throughout the year. 
125. Halcyon pallidiventris. (Grey-headed Kingfisher.) 
This fine Bush-kingfisher is very scarce, and it appears to 
be migratory, as I have seen it only during the wet season. 
The stomach of one example contained a lizard, two slow- 
worms, grasshoppers, and beetles. 
126. Halcyon chelicutensis. (Striped Kingfisher.) 
A very common resident, but only to be met with in the 
bush, away from water, where it selects some elevated perch 
whence it darts upon the insects on which it preys. In the 
breeding-season the male has a short but very pleasing song, 
though its ordinary cry is a harsh chatter. Its principal 
food consists of orthoptera, but I have likewise observed it 
to feed on butterflies (.Junonia cebrene and Catopsilia florella) 
and beetles. 
127. Bucorax caffe r. (South-African Ground-Horn bill.) 
The iC Brown Vogel ” is far from common in Mashonaland, 
being more often heard than seen ; it is, moreover, very much 
more shy than I found it to be in Natal. I am not aware 
that the Mashonas attribute to it any rain-making qualities, 
as do the Zulus. 
128. Lophoceros epirhinus. (Southern Grey Hornbill.) 
A common species, but subject to partial migrations, 
which depend on its food-supply. It occurs in small flocks 
in the bush, keeping well hidden in the foliage and being 
somewhat difficult to get near. Its shrill mewing cry 
