Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 299 



valley. It was exceedingly fat^ and the stomach was loaded 

 with beetles and berries. 



[Mr. E. C. Buxton, who met with this species in the course 

 of a journey from Natal to the Labomba mountains, has 

 favoured me with the following note respecting it : — " In the 

 breeding- season the throat of the male is enormous, and it 

 plays like a Blackcock. You may then see it a great distance; 

 it looks snow-white, from its tm'ning all its feathers inside 

 out.^'— J.H.G.] 



^GiALiTis VARiA. (Vicill.). Kittlitz^s Plovcr. 



Male, shot 22nd August. 



This species migrates to this part of the country during the 

 present month for the purpose of breeding; it is found 

 sparsely in pairs, frequenting stony and tussocky ground 

 where vegetation is scanty, and generally at no great distance 

 from water; it disappears during the winter months. The 

 stomachs of this bird and its mate (killed at the same time) 

 contained insects, principally a species of white ant. From 

 the size of the eggs in the ovary of the hen bird, I liave no 

 doubt she would have laid in a few days. 



Ardea akdesiaca, Wa.gl. Lesser African Schistaceous 

 Heron. 



Male, adult, shot 21st February. Total length 20 inches, 

 bill (from gape) 3|-, tarsus 3^, wing (l^arely) 10, tail (barely) 

 3|. Irides dusky hazel-brown ; bill black ; bare skin about 

 the eye and base of bill black ; tarsi and shanks black ; feet 

 gamboge-yellow, greenish just above the junction of the toes, 

 claws black. Stomach contained remains of very small 

 fish. 



This beautiful Heron has a curious habit, whilst feeding, 

 during the heat of the day and when the sun shines blazing 

 hot, of throwing one wing suddenly forward and holding it 

 out, so that it shades a small portion of shallow water ; the 

 bird immediately peers into the water searchingly, and inva- 

 riably makes a dart at some unlucky little fish. In the 

 specimen sent the tips of the primaries are worn ; and without 

 doubt this comes from the wing being so constantly thrown 

 forward against rough grass and plants. 



