26G Mr. (riiy A. K. Marshall un 



about the commonage. Its habit of feeding on cattle-ticks 

 has often been alluded to, and the Mashonas have dubbed it 

 " Mafudsa-ngorabo '' (the cattle-herd) in recognition of this. 

 However, the stomaciis of three birds examined this season 

 contained none of these creatures, but only fish, larvae of 

 dragon-flies, grasshoppers, a large spider, and a water-bug. 



216. Herouias brachyrhyncha. (Short-billed White 

 Egret.) 



A single specimen in Mr. Swynnerton's collection seems 

 to be referable to this species. 



217. Herodias garzetta. (Little Egret.) 



This species is evidently very much scarcer than B. bubulcus, 

 and is a more water-loving bird. 



218. Ardea cixerea. (Common Heron.) 

 Fairly common, but usually occurring singly. 



219. Ardea purpurea. (Purple Heron.) 



Only two females of this species have come under my 

 notice, both of which were shot close to Salisbury. 



220. Ardea goliath. (Goliath Heron.) 

 Seen by Mr, iVyres, but not procured. 



221. Nycticorax griseus. (Night-Heron.) 



1 have examined a pair of these birds which were obtained 

 in the Salisbury district. 



222. BuTORiDEs atricapilla. (Afi'ican Black-headed 

 Heron.) 



Mr. Ayres found this species rare on the Umfuli river. 



223. Ardetta sturmi. (African Dwarf-Bittern.) 



A fairly common bird, occurring in pairs along streams 

 and vleis where there are bushes close to the water's edge, 

 for in these it is wont to perch. It is by no means shy, and 

 the flight is slow and heavy. It utters a loud croaking cry 

 when flushed, but I am not aware that it possesses the power 

 of " booming " like the Common Bittern. This species 

 feeds to a considerable extent on insects as well as on fishes. 



