718 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Mr. Andersson states that this species is exceedingly common in 
Ondonga, and quite tame ; it perches on trees, and may be seen in 
flocks of from ten to fifty, frequently in company with cattle. Senor 
Anchieta has procured specimens in nearly every part of South- 
Western Africa visited by him, and has found it both in the interior 
and on the sea-coast. 
Adult female, in breeding plumage: general colour white; top 
of head, crest at the back, pendant feathers of breast, and decomposed 
feathers of back, rufous-isabella colour; bill and legs yellow, irides 
yellow. Length, 1’ 7’; wing, 9”; tail, 44”. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. vi, pl. 396. 
696. Arpzota comata (Pail.). Squacco Heron. 
Ardea comata, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 308. 
Mr. Bowker sent it from Basuto Land in summer, and Mr. 
Arnot from Colesberg in winter dress. We saw it abundantly up 
the east coast and Mozambique Channel, frequenting the coral reefs 
which line the shore. It is rare near Kingwilliamstown, as we are 
informed by Capt. Trevelyan; he killed two specimens on the banks 
of the Buffalo in 1871, and one on the banks of the Chalumna in 1877. 
Mr. Ayres has sent several specimens from the Transvaal, and has 
found the stomachs filled with crabs and grasshoppers. He says 
that it is plentiful in the swamps near Potchefstroom. Mr. Barratt 
observes: “I shot the best of my specimens of this lovely bird in 
October, when it was in magnificent plumage. It is, however, a 
rather wary bird; and I have often watched them from a distance 
standing near a vley and occasionally curving their long necks.” 
Mr. T. E. Buckley met with the species in Bamangwato in August, 
and Sir John Kirk says that on the Zambesi it was seen in pairs, 
feeding in marshes and shallow water. 
We are informed by Mr. Andersson that this species of Heron is 
found in Damara Land and Great Namaqua Land throughout the 
year, but is more numerous in those countries during the rainy 
season than at other times. Itis very abundant in the Lake-regions, 
and on the rivers Botletlé, Teoughe, and Okavango. It feeds on 
insects, frogs, &c. Senor Anchieta has only met with it on one 
occasion, at Mossamedes. 
Top and back of head, pale ochraceous-yellow ; occipital feathers 
elongated, pointed, white ; back rufous, the feathers elongated and 
ee 
