292 BIIiDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



The male bird only differs from the female in its 

 darker tints. 



The iris is red or reddish brown in adult, and yellowish 

 in immature birds ; the bill in adult birds is almost black, 

 shading at the base into bluish green, which is the colour 

 of the skin surrounding the eyes and at the corners of 

 the mouth ; in younger birds the bill is greenish yellow. 



The tibia, the front of the tarsus, and the upper surface 

 of the toes are yellowish brown, with a greenish tinge on 

 the tibia ; the back of the tarsus and the soles of the 

 toes are bright yellow. 



Measurements of a male and a female : — 



343. Butorides atricapilla (Afzel.). Ulack-hcadcd Dwarf Heron. 

 Ardea atricapilla, Laj-ard's Cat. No. 587. 



Btitorides atricapilla, Gumey, in Ibis, 1870, p. 151. 



„ „ (iray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10158. 



This Heron is not uncommon at Lake Ngami and its 

 watersheds, and also on the Okavango. 

 [This species lias not been figured. — Ed.] 



344. Ardetta minnta (Linn.). European Little Eittern. 



Ardra niinuta, Gould's Birds of I'^urope, pi. 282. 



„ Layard's Cat. No. 588. 



,, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 418. 

 Ardclla miiti'fa, Gvay's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10148. 



