Mr. T. Ayres on Trans- Vaal Ornithology. 283 



bush-country, frequenting the open glades, and I think it is 

 a much scarcer bird." — J. H. Gk] 



180. Ardea goliath, Temm. Goliath Heron. 



Whilst out fishing I shot a fine specimen of this Heron ; he 

 had just caught and gorged whole a cat-fish (here callel barbel) 

 of at least two pounds weight, and with a head as broad as 

 one's hand ; he had dexterously speared it right through the 

 body behind the head, with one mandible, and had evidently 

 clasped it with the other. 



181. Ardea comata, Pall. Squacco Heron. 



This Heron is plentiful in the swamps in the neighbourhood 

 of Potchefstroom. 



182. Lobivanellus lateralis (Smith). South- African 

 Wattled Plover. 



A few of these Plovers occasionally find their way to Pot- 

 chefstroom and the neighbourhood ; they are, however, very 

 rare visitants. 



The specimen sent (a female) was one of three which were 

 observed outside the town of Potchefstroom in the month of 

 April. 



The iris was ashy brown ; the bill yellow, but black at the 

 tip ; the bare part of the thighs, the tarsi and feet green- 

 ish yellow ; the basal part of the wattles red ; the remaining 

 portion and the eyelids yellow. 



[Mr. E. C. Buxton informs me that he obtained this species 

 in the neighbourhood of the Labomba mountains, beyond the 

 northern boundary of the colony of Natal. — J. H. G.] 



-f-183. Philomachus pugnax (Linn.). Ruff. 



[A female specimen in winter plumage. — J. H. G.] 



184. Totanus glareola (Linn.). Wood- Sandpiper. 



185. Gallinago major (Gmel.). Solitary Snipe. 



These Snipes were more plentiful than usual in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Potchefstroom about the end of 1871. 



186. Rallus c^rulescens, Gmel. Canre Rail. 



187. Ortygometra pygmtea, Naum. Baillon's Crake. 

 ser. hi. — vol. in. x 



