Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal, 233 



from the country for some yearSj this Plover is as plentiful 

 as ever^ and makes itself happy on a beetle diet. 



ToTANUs CANESCENS (Gmel.) . Greenshank. 

 Female^ shot near Potchefstroom, 28th October. 

 In 1883 the Greenshank was unusually numerous. 



Ardea bubulcus^ Audouin. Western Buff-backed Heron. 



This species is most plentiful with us in January and 

 February^ after which the majority of these birds seem to 

 leave us ; during the above-named months they are found in 

 small flocks ; they roost amongst the reedy swamps, and 

 always at the same spots. 



Ardetta PODiCEPS (Bon.). Rufous-necked Little Bittern. 



Male, in nearly full dress, shot July 1882. Iris yellow ; 

 bill yellowish green with the ridge dusky brown ; tarsi and 

 feet dull green with the hinder parts and soles of feet 

 orange-yellow. Stomach contained a perch of at least 2 oz. 

 in weight. 



[Other specimens sent by Mr. Ayres were obtained in 

 the months of January, March, April, and September. — 

 J. H. G.] 



Nycticorax griseus (Linn.). European Night-Heron. 

 This species appears to be gradually getting scarcer about 

 Potchefstroom. 



Phalacrocorax africanus (Gmel.) . African Long-tailed 

 Cormorant. 



One fine day I saw one of these Cormorants catching small 

 fish in water not more than six to twelve inches deep ; and it 

 was amusing to watch how it skimmed along the bottom, 

 only raising its head every now and again above the water 

 to swallow a fish. These birds will kee]3 well under water 

 whilst chasing the small fish right up to the edge of a pool 

 amongst the sedges with wonderful speed and dexterity. 



SER. V. VOL. II. 



