300 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA, 



577. Ardea Cinerea, Linn, a n., Voi. xii., p. 



236, PI. Enl., 755 ; A. Major, Gmel. ; Ardea Leu- 

 cophcea, Gould ; Bonap. Consp., Vol. 2, p. Ill; 

 The Common Heron, Bewick's Brit. Birds, p. 36. 



Upper parts, blueish-grey ; head, neck, and under parts, 

 white; a broiidish black stripe commences just before and 

 extends over tl^' eye to the back of the head, tertninating 

 in a lengthened pendant crest ; a double row of black spots 

 commences about one-third of the way down the front of the 

 throat, and terminates among the pendant feathers of the 

 chest, on each side of which is a broad black patch, extend- 

 ing down each side to the thitjhs ; quill-feathers of wings 

 bla«k. Length, 3' 3"; wing, 1' 6"; tail, 8". 



The Heron is very abundant throughout South Africa, in all suitable 

 localities, feeding upon fish and frogs, and an occasional snake. I 

 am told they breed on the Cape Flats, placing their nests in company 

 on tufts of grass and ru.shes, surrounded with water. This seems a 

 strange habit, and very diflferent from their European practice ; but I 

 see no reason to doubt my informant, who has volunteered to show me 

 the breeding place, and whose children make a yearly jaunt thither to 

 feast on the eggs. 



578. Ardea AtricoUis, Wagier; Smith, Zooi. s. 



Af, Pi. 86 ; A. Melanocephala, Child, and Vig. 



Upper parts, blue-grey, darkest in centre of back ; upper 

 portion of head and back of neck, black ; chin and upper 

 portion of throat, pure white ; centre portion profusely mot- 

 tled with black and white; lower part, blue- grey; under 

 portion of body, light-blue grey ; tail black. Length, 3' 

 3" ; wing, 1' 4" ; tail, 8". 



I suspect that the black-necked Heron is more common than is gene- 

 rally supposed ; but, owing to its resemblance to the common species, 

 is not often brought to notice. I once shot one without being at all 

 aware that I was obtaining such a prize. It was on the marshy 

 ground close to the Observatory, near Cape Town, and at the moment 

 when I fired it was engaged in a fight with another. I took them 

 both to be A. Cinerea till I picked up my bird. I have received it 

 from Colesberg in the young state ; and Mr. Chapman procured it 

 along the Zambezi route ; Mr. Atmore in the George district. I 

 also saw a specimen in the Worcester Valley. Three eggs, said to be 

 of this species, were sent to me from Verloren Vley ; they are blue- 

 green, like those of the common herons : axis, 2" 2'" ; diam., 1' 6'", 



579. Ardea Purpurea, Linn., pi. Eni. 788 ; a. 



Caspica, Purpurata, Ruhigi/nosa, (?) et Botaurus, 

 aut Rufa, Gmel. ; A. Variegata, Scop. ; A. Monticola, 

 Lafrey ; The Purple Heron, Bewick's Brit. B., p. 40. 



Upper part of back, ashy-grey, variegated with a few red 

 plumes on each side ; top of head black ; neck red, with a 



