710 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
in the Worcester Valley. We found it very common at the Berg 
River, breeding on the reeds along the river and in the vleys. The 
eggs are like those of A. cinerea; average size: axis, 2" 5”; diam. 
MAO Sis : 
The late Mr. Frank Oates procured one example in a marsh near 
Pretoria. Mr. Ayres shot a single specimen in Natal in a marshy 
valley about a mile from the coast. Captain Feilden obtained a 
female specimen at the Ingagane River on the 6th of June, and Major 
Butler noted several other specimens shot in the same locality. Sir 
John Kirk says that in the Zambesi it was scattered throughout the 
marshy regions of the rivers and lakes. According to the late Mr. 
Andersson, ‘‘this Heron is found sparingly about humid places in 
Great Namaqua and Damara Land, and in the lagoons on the sonth- 
west coast. Axel also found it common in Ondonga on his arrival 
there in the month of November; there was then no water in the 
vleys; and these birds were feeding exclusively in the fields, and 
chiefly on grasshoppers ; but the ordinary food of this species also 
comprises fish, reptiles, rats, and mice. These Herons perch upon 
trees when there are any within reach.” Mr. Monteiro found it 
“very abundant on all the fresh, salt, and brackish-water lagoons 
and marshes on the whole coast of Angola.” Senor Anchieta has 
sent it from the Coroca River, Quillengues, and Humbe; at the 
latter place it is called Kilubio. 
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 mottled 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’. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. vi, pl. 393. 
689. ARDEA PURPUREA, LD. Purple Heron. 
The Purple Heron is abundant in all marshy places throughout 
the colony, and has been brought by Mr. Chapman from the Zambesi. 
It feeds on the same food as does A. cinerea, and is found in similar 
localities. We obtained it abundantly at the Berg River breeding 
in company with the two preceding, and making similar nests. 
Eggs are also similarly coloured but are rather narrower in form. 
Axis, 2” 4’; diam., 1’’ 7’’’. 
Dr. Bradshaw has seen it twice on the Orange River near Uping- 
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