330 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



The only specimens I have seen of these graceful birds have 

 been at the edges of small pools on the roads some ten or twelve 

 miles from the coast. 



If disturbed, they most frequently take a large circle and 

 return to the same pool, just as a Snipe would. 



In the stomach of the specimen sent were numerous pebbles. 



213. Terekia cinerea (Gmel.). Terek Sandpiper. 



The specimen sent was shot from a flock of four or five, 

 amongst the mangroves in the bay ; they are scarce birds here. 



214. Rhynch^a capensis (Linn.). African Painted Snipe. 

 Iris greyish brown ; nostrils small ; and linear tarsi and feet 



greenish ash-colour. 



These Snipes are very scarce in Natal. The specimen sent 

 was shot in a swamp near the mouth of the Umlaas ; its stomach 

 contained the remains of small insects. 



[The Rhynchcea of South Africa appears to me, on a com- 

 parison of specimens, to be identical with that of Egypt, of 

 India, and of China. — J. H. G.] 



215. Ardea bubulcus, Sav. Buff-backed Heron. 



Male and female. Iris very light yellow. Eye small. Bill 

 light yellow ; nostrils linear ; tarsi and feet pale yellow. 



The flats near the mouth of the River Umlaas are the only 

 localities where I have seen these birds. 



They are gregarious in their habits, roosting by night amongst 

 the branches of trees which overhang the small lakes that are 

 plentiful in that part of the country. They appear to feed 

 entirely on ticks {Acari), which they pick from the cattle as they 

 are feeding, walking alongside of them and every now and 

 then taking one off. They are wary birds, like most of the 

 Herons, and not easy of approach. The farmers in the neigh- 

 bourhood have also, of course, great objection to such useful birds 

 being shot. 



216. Ardetta PODiCEPs (Bp.). Short-winged little Bittern. 

 Male adult. Iris greenish yellow. 



Female. Iris light reddish yellow. 



These birds are solitary : two of those sent were procured at 



