290 BIRDS OF DAMABA LAND. 



Objimbinque in Damara Land; on one occasion (on 

 February 2nd, 1865) I killed three out of a flock of four. 

 Their flight is heavy, and at a distance they look larger 

 than they really are. 



The iris is pale transparent yellow; the bill yellow, 

 with tints of green in some places ; lores and bare spaces 

 about the eyes greenish ; tibia yellowish flesh-colour ; 

 tarsus and toes bluish black. 



Average measurements of two females : — 



in. liii. 



Entire length 27 3 



Length of folded wing 12 7 



,, tarsus 4 6 



„ middle toe 3 5 



„ tail 4 10 



bill 3 9 



341. HerodiaS garzetta (Linn.). European Lesser Egret. 

 Herodias garzetta, Boie, in Isis, 1822, p. 559. 

 Ardea garzetta, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 277. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 584. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 417. 



This is a scarce bird in Damara and Great Namaqua 

 Land, and very local; but it is pretty common on the 

 rivers flowing into and out of Lake Ngami, and it also 

 occurs on the Orange River. 



It associates in small flocks, and feeds on fish, lizards, 

 frogs, Crustacea, and aquatic insects. 



The iris is yellow ; the upper mandible almost black ; 

 the lower mandible black near the extremity, the re- 

 mainder being livid, with a slight greenish tinge; the 

 bare space round the eye is lead-coloured, the cere 



