144 THE BIRDS OF EIVEE AND VLEI 



It is evenly distributed over the sub-continent, being 

 inland perhaps commonest at Potchefstroom. There is 

 a fine mounted example with nest and three eggs in the 

 Transvaal Museum, obtained by C. B. Horsbrugh on 

 the Modder Kiver, Orange Kiver Colony. The nest is 

 usually a platform of sticks, reeds, and sedge, placed on 

 the weeds in a marsh or vlei, or in the branches of a tree 

 overhanging water. The eggs are clear pale-blue, and 

 oval in shape. The Goliath Heron is found singly or in 

 pairs, usually at the mouths of rivers. It feeds largely on 

 fish. 



The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is pearly-slate above 

 and along the sides of the body ; top of head, neck, 

 centre of breast and belly white ; lower front of neck 

 with black patches ; on either side of the breast a series 

 of pendent purplish-black feathers. 



This bird is found over almost the whole of the Old 

 World, and throughout the African Continent. Like all 

 the Herons, it is found singly or in pairs, and may be 

 seen standing on the bank of a dam or stream sunning 

 itself or watching for fish and frogs. It also feeds on 

 reptiles and insects. It nests in much the same localities 

 as the Goliath, and the eggs are pale blue. Roberts 

 found fresh eggs on September 5. 



The Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) has 

 the top of the head (which is crested), ear coverts, back 

 of neck, tail and wings black ; above blackish-slate ; 

 below slate-grey with the lower part of the neck clothed 

 with lengthened plumes. This species ranges all over 

 the sub-continent, and resembles the others in habits. 



The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) has the crown 

 black ornamented by two long plumes ; above slaty ; 



