HAGEDASHIA HAGEDASH. 739 
tributaries in this neighbourhood, as Butler heard of several nests, 
some with eggs and others containing young birds; but we had no 
opportunity of examining the nests ourselves. Butler adds that 
he found them very good eating.” Mr. Andersson says that he 
procured it on the Orange River, but it did not occur in his Damara 
collections. 
General colour throughout, shining-green, glossed with purple, 
with a patch of rich golden-copper on each shoulder; head, and 
portion of the neck, bare, and of a greenish white, the top of the 
head bright red; as are also the bill and legs. Length, 2’ 6’; 
wing, 16"; tail, 84"; bill, 5” 6’”. 
715. Hacupasu1a HAaGEDAsH (Lath.). Hadadah Ibis. 
Geronticus Hagedash, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 320. 
The Hadadah (so called from its ery of ‘ Ha-ha-hadadah !”) is 
only found in wooded places, such as the Knysna, where it is not 
uncommon, associating in small flocks, and making the wooded 
streams resound with its loud and not unmusical call. It feeds on 
worms and small crustaceans, which it finds in the shallows and 
muddy creeks. Mr. Chapman procured it at the Zambesi. It is 
everywhere very shy, and difficult to procure, the best way being to 
watch their roosting-place, to which they nightly repair, and where 
several may be obtained from an ambuscade by a successful discharge. 
Mr. Rickard says it is migratory, “‘ generally arriving at Hast 
London in March ; in 1870 they were later than usual.” We were not 
able to ascertain, but suspect that it was only a partial migration. 
Mr. Ayres writes from Natal: “These birds are seldom solitary, 
generally occurring in small families of from four to ten or twelve. 
When feeding they much frequent the dense bush, and though 
usually very wary, will sometimes allow one to walk right in amongst 
them before they rise, which they then do altogether, and with such 
a din as quite to startle even a person accustomed to such things. 
Beetles and insects form their food almost entirely. They are also 
fond of hunting in old mealy-gardens, and on the tops of high hills 
and amongst stones and rocks, where they find food in abundance. 
Their notes are loud and harsh, and may easily be heard at the 
distance of a mile or more in still weather. At the earliest break of 
day they leave their roosting-places, generally in high trees over- 
hanging water, and return again as the sun is setting, or a little 
3B 2 
