The Kingfisher and Bee-Eaters of Southern Africa (signed)

Each plate is signed and marked 'Artist's Proof' by David Ord Kerr. With boxed slipcase, produced for Sappi by Molly Buchanan Productions, designed by Johan Hoekstra, 430 x 530mm, condition: very good.

Plates are:

Bee-Eaters or the family of the Meropidae are a largely tropical old world family of some 25 species of which at least 18 occur in Africa and eight in South Africa. All are brightly coloured and with long somewhat decurved bills. All feed largely on bees.

1. Whitefronted Bee-Eater.
2. Bluecheeked Bee-Eater.
3. Little Bee-Eater & Swallowtailed Bee-Eater.
4. Carmine Bee-Eater.
5. Olive or Madagascar Bee-Eater & Bohm's Bee-Eater.
6. European Bee-Eater.

Kingfishers are divided into three subfamilies, the most primitive are the Daceloninae of which five Halcyon species occur in South Africa. Intermediate are the Alcedinidae of which two species Alcedo, and one species Ispidina occur in South Africa. The most evolved or derived subfamily is the Cerylinae, of which two Ceryle species occur in South Africa.

1. Woodland Kingfisher.
2. Halfcollared Kingfisher.
3. Striped Kingfisher.
4. Mangrove Kingfisher.
5. Pied Kingfisher & Malachite Kingfisher.
6. Brownhooded Kingfisher & Greyhooded Kingfisher.