BUTORIDES ATRICAPILLA. 719 
decomposed ; all the rest of the plumage white ; bill blueish, with 
black tip; legs yellow; irides yellow. Length, 16” to 17’; 
wing 84", 
Fig. Dresser, B. Hur. vi, pl. 397. 
697. Burorrpes arricaPinta (Afzel.). 
African Black-headed Heron. 
Ardea atricapilla, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 309. 
We obtained specimens of this pretty little Egret at Mauritius, 
Madagascar, the islands to the north-east, and along the whole 
east coast of Africa. Two examples were procured by Mr. Arnot 
somewhere in Mahura’s country. It frequents equally fresh and 
salt water, finding its food, which consists of small fish, frogs, 
water-insects, and shells, with equal facility in either. It is very 
partial to the mangrove thickets which line the tidal rivers on the 
coast, and roosts among them, perching on the branches. 
Near Kingwilliamstown Capt. Trevelyan says that it is rare. He 
informs us that Mr. Newby, of that place, killed one a mile or two a 
from the town. In Natal, Mr. Ayres says that it is a scarce species, 
appearing to be very solitary in its habits; they are generally found 
amongst the mangroves, either perched on some low bough or on 
the mud, and always in the shade, evidently preferring the darkness 
to the light; if put up, they invariably fly but a short distance and 
alight again in the shade, mostly at the foot of some low-spreading 
tree or under the bank of some creek. He has also found it 
frequenting trees on the Marico River, and during Mr. Jameson’s 
expedition it was met with on the Umvuli River. Mr. Ayres writes : 
‘‘ We found it solitary and rare, but met with a family party on the 
Quae Quae amongst dense reeds and low trees in the bed of a small 
stream.” On the Zambesi, Sir John Kirk says it was by no means 
common, and was a solitary bird, keeping to the river, flying close 
along under the banks, and perching on the bushes which overhang, 
from which it watched for its prey. Mr. Andersson found it “not 
uncommon at Lake N’gami and its watersheds, as also on the 
Okavango.” Senor Anchieta has met with it on the Coroca River, 
and at Gambos in Mossamedes. 
Above, dark slate-coloured, tinged with green, which prevails on 
the wings; back, sides of neck, flanks, and under parts, cinereous ; 
top of head and crest black, shot with green ; chin and fore part of 
