708 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
nowhere plentiful; on the Chobé River it was found to be more 
abundant by Dr. Bradshaw. Mr. Andersson observes as follows :— 
‘« These fine Herons are not common in the Lake regions, from whence 
they make temporary and solitary excursions into Damara Land 
during the wet season. I have met with them on the Rivers Okavango 
and Teoughe, at Lake N’vami, and thence eastward along the River 
Botletlé. They are generally seen singly or in pairs, and are shy 
and wary birds, usually able from their great stature to espy any 
threatened danger from a considerable distance, and thus to make 
their escape in safety. They utter a strong, hoarse, croaking 
sound, not unlike the bark of a dog. I believe these Herons feed 
almost entirely upon fisb, which they transfix with great celerity 
and swallow entire: it is said that a half-pound fish is thus easily 
disposed of.” It is not rare at Humbe on the Cunene River, 
according to Senor Anchieta. 
Upper part of back and drooping plumes of chest, leaden-grey ; 
head, neck, and under parts of body, deep rufous; chin white; 
down the front of the neck extends a line of black, mottled with 
while, coalescing and mingling with the drooping plumes of the 
chest. Length, 4’ 6”; wing, 1’ 11”; tail, 11”. 
Fig. Temm., Pl. Col. 474. 
687. Arpga cineREA, LD. Common Heron. 
The Heron is very abundant throughout South Africa, in all 
suitable localities, feeding upon fish and frogs, and an occasional 
snake. We are told they breed on the Cape Flats, placing their 
nests in company on tufts of grass and rushes, surrounded with 
water. This seems a strange habit, and very different from their 
European practice; but we see no reason to doubt our informant, 
who has volunteered to show us the breeding-place, and whose 
children make a yearly jaunt thither to feast on the eggs. 
Miss Annie Van der By] has forwarded us eggs taken in a similar 
situation in a vley near Fairfield (Caledon). We found it abundantly 
breeding with the other two following species at the Berg River, in 
September. The nest is a huge mass of rushes constructed on the 
reeds. Eggs blue-green, shaped alike at eitherend. Axis, 2” 3”; 
diam. 1” 9”. 
Mr. Rickard informs us that it is occasionally met with at Port 
Elizabeth and East London. 
In Natal, Mr. Ayres says, they are found generally in pairs, and 
