from the colomj of Natal, in SouiJi-eastern Africa. 205 



prey on the wing, but take it from the ground ; they have a 

 loud chattering note, somewhat similar to the " Laughing 

 Jackass " {Dacelo gigas) of South Australia, but do not laugh in 

 the same ludicrous manner; they have a dipping flight, seldom 

 flying far at once. 



Indicator minor, Stephens. Least Honey-Guide. 



The stomach of the specimens sent was full of caterpillars. 

 These birds have a long dipping flight, somewhat similar to the 

 Emerald and Golden Cuckoos. One of them occasionally comes 

 and perches close to our beehives, and takes the bees as they 

 fly out and return home. 



Ardea cinerea, Linn. Common British Heron. 



Stomach of specimen sent contained an eel. These birds are 

 generally in pairs ; they are exceedingly shy ; they often feed 

 with the White Herons, and alight on trees. 



Herodias flavirostris, Temm. African Yellow-billed White 

 Heron. 



Male and female. Eye, bill, and skin round the eye light 

 yellow ; legs, feet, and extreme tip of the upper mandible black. 



The stomachs of these birds were crammed full of shrimps 

 and small fishes. 



These Herons are gregarious, frequenting the bays along the 

 coast ; they feed at low tide amongst the mud and shallow water, 

 stalking gently along. When they see their prey, they stop sud- 

 denly, and make a dead point at it, exactly like a pointer dog at 

 a partridge ; remaining motionless for a few seconds, then gradu- 

 ally drawing nearer, they dart their long necks suddenly into the 

 water, and almost invariably catch the unlucky fish. At high 

 water, or if disturbed, and at night, they always perch on the 

 upper boughs of the Mangroves, and other trees that fringe the 

 bay, never roosting on the ground. Their flight is heavy, as is 

 the flight of all the Herons that I know. 



Ardetta mixuta, Linn. European Little Bittern. 

 Male. Stomach contained caterpillars and a quantity of frog- 

 bones. 



Q 2 



