468 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species 



containing two eggs, which were on the point of hatching, in a 

 very large lagoon near the Vaal River. The nest was about 

 five feet in diameter, and of a conical form ; it was composed 

 of rushes pulled up by the birds, and was placed in water about 

 five feet deep, the eggs being well out of the water. 



HoPLOPTERus ARMATUs, Jard. White-headed Spur- wing 

 Plover. (No. 275, Ibis, 1865, p. 271.) 



These Plovers are plentiful about Potchefstroom ; they frequent 

 the borders of the swamps and Snipe-grounds, and are some- 

 times found in companies of a dozen together, though generally 

 not more than two or three are met with. 



They fly about the intruder on their haunts with loud screams 

 of disapprobation, and keep up a constant clatter, to the annoy- 

 ance of any one intent upon Snipes or other feathered game, 

 among which they thus produce a state of unwished-for watch- 

 fulness. 



Ardea purpurea, Linn. Purple Heron. (No. 121, Ibis, 

 1860, p. 220.) 



These Herons are very common in the Transvaal, where I 

 have frequently seen as many as ten or twelve together; they 

 appear to vary very much both in size and plumage. 



[The Purple Heron appears to be even more numerous in 

 India than it is in South Africa; thus Mr. F. Day (Land of the 

 Permauls, p. 472) mentions that in the Malabar state of Cochin 

 these Herons, " at the commencement of the year, may be seen 

 towards evening flying in flocks of some hundreds in an irregular 

 line towards their feeding-grounds." — J. II. G.] 



Ardea bubulcus, Savig. Buff-backed Heron. (No. 215, 

 Ibis, 1863, p. 330. 



This species is exceedingly numerous in the Transvaal ; in 

 winter it loses the buff'-coloured plumes on the back and neck, 

 and appears in a pure white dress. 



Herodias garzetta (Linn.). Little Egret. (No. 122, Ibis, 

 1860, p. 221.) 



These Egrets are much more numerous about the swamps of 

 the Transvaal than they are in Natal. 



