BUTORIDES 



79 



Portuguese East Africa Lake Bavane, near Inhambane, March 

 (Francis). 



Habits. The Eufous-bellied Heron is shy and scarce ; several 

 birds are generally seen together, they fly rapidly and settle on 

 reeds; their food consists of aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, 

 worms and water insects. Nothing is known of their nesting 

 habits. 



Genus VII. BUTORIDES. 



Type. 



Butorides, Blyth, Cat. B. Mas. As. Soc. p. 281 (1849) B. javanica, 



Bill straight and strong ; culmen distinctly longer than the 

 tarsus, which is about equal to the middle toe and claw ; upper and 

 lower mandibles slightly serrated towards the tip ; wings rather 

 short, the second and third primaries about equal and the longest ; 



FIG. 21. Left foot of Butorides atricapilla. x \ 



tibio-tarsus feathered almost to the lower joint, leaving no portion 

 bare; plumage greenish or brownish with ornamental elongate ( 

 lanceolate feathers on the nape and back, but not on the fore neck ; 

 these feathers are not decomposed, and appear to be retained 

 throughout the year. 



