HERONS AND EGRETS 145 



lower breast dark maroon, darkening towards the 

 abdomen ; lower neck and upper breast pale rufous. 



It ranges from Central Europe to the Cape. In habits 

 and nidification it resembles the other members of the 

 genus. 



There are three species of true Egret in South Africa, 

 all pure white in colour. 



The Great White Egret (Herodias alba) is the largest, 

 with a wing measurement of 14 inches ; the head is only 

 slightly crested. 



The two smaller species (wing 12 inches) are the 

 Yellow-billed Egret (H. brachyrhynchos), characterised 

 by its yellow bill and slightly crested head, and the 

 Little Egret (H. garzetta) which has the bill black, and 

 a pair of long plumes on the nape. 



The Egrets are fond of marshy localities and feed on 

 fish, frogs, and the like. 



The Great Egret does not breed in South Africa, being 

 a migrant from Europe and Asia. The other two species 

 are fairly evenly distributed over the country, breeding 

 here, but are only common in certain localities. 



The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is white throughout, 

 excepting the decomposed plumes of the head, neck, 

 and centre of back, which are buffish-pink. 



It is not uncommon in many localities, except in the 

 Western Cape Colony, whence it has only once been 

 recorded. We found it fairly common along the Aapies 

 Eiver near Waterval North in the Pretoria District, 

 where they roosted nightly in flocks on the drooping 

 branches of some trees growing on the bank of the 

 river ; at sunset they could be seen flying in long lines 

 from the veld, where they had been freeing the cattle 

 of their ticks (the birds' main article of food). 

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