716 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
694. Heropias aarzerra (L.). Little Egret. 
Ardea garzetta, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 308. 
Specimens of this beautiful Egret, both in winter and nuptial 
dress, have been procured in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, 
also at Colesberg and at the Knysna. The stomachs of this and the 
preceding, which we have examined, contained multitudes of small 
aquatic shells (Physopsis africana and Succinia delalandi). 
It is very abundant at the Berg River, breeding in company with 
A. cinerea and the others: also in heronries by themselves. Their 
nests resembled those of the larger species. Eggs also three or 
four innumber. Axis, 2” 2/"; diam. 1” 7”. 
Near Kingwilliamstown it is recorded as scarce by Captain 
Trevelyan, and Mr. Ayres states that it inhabits the Bay of Natal. 
Majors Butler and Feilden and Captain Reid say that the White 
Egrets were a familiar feature in all the less frequented yleys in the 
Newcastle district. Mr. Ayres has also procured the species in the 
Transvaal. Mr. F. A. Barratt observes : “I shot specimens of this 
lovely little Egret near Pretoria, and I have obtained them near 
Potchefstroom both in winter and summer.’ Mr. Andersson gives the 
following note: ‘‘ This is a scarce bird in Damara and Great Namaqua 
Land, and very local; but it is pretty common on the rivers flowing 
into and out of Lake N’gami, and it also occurs on the Orange River. 
It associates in small flocks, and feeds on fish, lizards, frogs, 
crustacea, and aquatic insects.” Senor Anchieta has procured this 
Egret in many localities in Benguela, the River Coroca, and at 
Humbe. At the latter place it is called Nanhé, and on the Coroca 
River Dila. Mr. Monteiro states that he observed it on all the 
stagnant fresh water of the whole of Angola. 
Entirely white, with two long plumes depending from the back 
of the head; feathers of the breast and back elongated and 
decomposed ; the latter not extending beyond the tail, and 
curved considerably upwards ; bill and legs in full breeding plumage, 
black: at other times the legs and feet are greenish-yellow; irides 
bright yellow. Length, 2’ 4’; wing, 12’; tail, 5”. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. vi, pl. 395. 
