Ornithology of the Gold Coast. 73 



156. Glareola pratincola (L.): Hartl. p. 210. 



This bird is not uncommon in the salt lakes and lagoons 

 extending between Accra and the river Volta along the sea- 

 line. It is gregarious, being generally found in small com- 

 panies of from ten to twenty. It is, howc ver, in common 

 with many other water-birds and wild-fowl, becoming much 

 rarer, especially in the neighbourhood of the settlements. 



157. Glareola cinerea, Fras. : Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 487. 

 This pretty Pratincole was not uncommon on the Volta. 

 There were generally two or three together ; but they were 



some little distance apart from each other, appearing to select 

 independent bits of ground for feeding, although they would 

 rise simultaneously and fly in the same direction. 



They mn with great rapidity, and almost always affect large 

 open sandbanks, which makes them difficult of approach. 



158. Balearica pavonina (L.) : Hartl. p. 218. 



I have observed one or two specimens of this Crane up the 

 river Volta; but it is by no means common. In other dis- 

 tricts, as on the rivers Gambia and Niger, it is of frequent 

 occurrence, and is easily domesticated, forming a very beau- 

 tiful addition to the grounds of the houses of the settlers. 



159. Nycticorax griseus (L.) : Sharpe, Ibis, 1872, p. 74. 

 Common on Winebah River ; not observed elsewhere. 



160. Butorides atricapilla (Afzel.) : Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, 

 p. 194. 



Exceedingly common along lagoons and about the roots of 

 the mangrove-trees, where it may be seen at low tide running 

 along the mud with its crouching gait. It is not a shy bird, 

 and is rarely molested by the natives. Its food consists of 

 small crabs and other shell-fish, beetles, and a small fish called 

 the "jumping fish," which collects in numbers on the man- 

 grove-mud, and propels itself with its fins or flappers at some 

 pace when disturbed. 



161. Platalea tenuirostris, Temm. : Hartl. p. 226. 



I have every reason to believe that this bird frequents the 

 Gold Coast, as natives have described it to me. 



