310 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



are visible down the throat ; a large patch on the wing is 

 also buff, In the p , the top of the head and the wing and 

 the tail feathers are black ; the back, deep rufous-brown ; 

 the feathers edged with buff ; neck deep- rufous ; the fore 

 part lightest, distinctly marked longitudinally with white 

 lines ; sides of chest beautifully variegated with a rufous- 

 brown so deep as to appear black in some lights. Length, 

 .13"; wing, 5" 5'"; tail, 2". 



Tliis pretty little Heron is not uncommon in all suitable localities in 

 the colony ; and Mr. Chapman brought it in considerable abundance 

 from the Zambezi. It conceals itself among reeds, and lies so close, 

 that the shooter often treads within a few feet of it before it will 

 rise. My son has shot several pair in the neighbourhood of Cape 

 Town. 



589. Ardea Pusilla, Vieil. ; Ardeola Podiceps, 

 Bonap. Consp., Vol. II, p. 135, 



Resembles A. Minuta, the preceding species, but is smaller ; 

 the upper wing- coverts are reddish-grey, not whitish ; 

 under, dirty- red, not white ; neck, obscure rufous, not grey ; 

 abdomen ruddy. Length, 12". 



Inhabits Natal, from whence it has been forwarded by Mr, Ayres- 

 I have not met with it in this colony. 



590. Ardea Gutturalis, Smith, Zooi, s. Af., pi. 



91 ; ^. Sturmii, Wagl., Bp. Consp. 2, p, 131. 



Above, dark slate-colour ; beneath buff, variegated from the 

 chin down to the belly with elongated blotches of dark slate- 

 colour, here and there edged with rufous ; flanks tinged with 

 rufous. Length, 12"; wing, 6"; tail, 2". 



I have not yet seen this species from within the colony ; but have 

 received it from just beyond the borders. Mr. Andersson procured it 

 in Damaraland, and Mr. Chapman brought several specimens from the 

 Zambezi ; but the former tells me it is a very rare species. 



Genus BOTAURUS, Stephens. 



Bill long and straight, with the culmen straight, flattened 

 at the base, rounded, and curved to the tip, which is 

 strongly emarginated, and the sides compressed ; the gonys 

 short and ascending ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a deep 

 groove, that extends for two-thirds the length of the bill, 

 with the opening linear ; wings long, with the first three 

 quills equal and longest ; tail short and even ; tarsi as long as 

 the middle toe, rather strong, and covered in front with broad 

 transverse scales ; toes very long, and rather slender, the 



