NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



parts black. The tail consists of twelve feathers. Iris golden- 

 yellow. Bill yellow at tip ; greenish-silver at base. Bare skin 

 of throat cream. Leg brown. 



Length, 31.5 ; wing, 13.5 ; tail, 9.0. 



Female paler in plumage than male. Skin of throat black. 



Distribution. — Occurs more or less throughout Africa. 

 Fairly common in South Africa and Cape. 



Habits. — This bird is not usually found on the high veld, 

 but along the banks of rivers. It is generally solitary, sitting 

 on a stump or branch overhanging the water. From this perch 

 it makes excursions into the water in search of its food, which 

 consists mainly of fish. It dives and swims with great skill. 

 When sufficiently near its prey it throws its head suddenly 

 forward and transfixes a fish with its sharp bill. When 

 swimming the body is almost submerged, only the long, slender 

 neck being exposed ; this, waving back and forth as the bird 

 moves, looks very much like a snake, and has suggested the 

 name snake bird. These birds are resident. They always 

 build their nest in trees overhanging water. The nest is a 

 rough bundle of sticks, scantily lined with water weed and green 

 reeds, and placed in the fork of the tree. Usually from 7 to 

 10 pairs build close together. The nests are covered with 

 white droppings, typical of the cormorant. The eggs, from 3 to 

 5 in number, are white in colour with an underlying bluish tint, 

 and have a smooth, shiny surface, and are elongated in shape. 

 They measure about 2.2 by 1.4. They breed during September 

 and October. 



Cattle Egret {Bubulcus ibis). (Vol. II., p. 210.) 



Description. — Male during breeding season : white 

 throughout, with the exception of the elongated ornamental 

 plumes, which cover the foreneck, head, and nape, and which 

 spring from the middle of the back, all of which are a beautiful 

 pink. Iris yellow. Skin round eye yellow (chrome). Bill 

 yellowish-pink. Legs yellowish-brown (dull). 



Length, 21.0 ; wing, lo.o ; tail, 3.75. 



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