272 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



evidently preferring the darkness to light; if put up they invari- 

 ably fly but a short distance and alight again in the shade^ mostly 

 at the foot of some low-spreading tree or under the bank of 

 some creek, 



278. Nycticorax GRisEUs (Linn.) . European Night-Heron. 

 Irides pinkish or brick-dust colour; tarsi and feet light 



yellow. 



These Herons are exceedingly scarce here ; when found they 

 are always amongst the dense mangroves and stationary ; when 

 disturbed they almost invariably alight again at a short distance, 

 getting more and more wary each time they are put up. 



The specimen sent was shot by my brother in June 1863. 

 They feed, I believe, at night. 



279. Falcinellus igneus (Gmelin). Glossy Ibis. 

 Female. Iris dark ; bill and legs black. From the Monocusi 



Hiver. 



Frequents the mud banks of the river. 



280. NuMBNius PH^opus (Linn.). Whimbrel. 



Female. Iris dusky; bill dusky, the under mandible pale at 

 the base; tarsi and feet bluish ash-colour. These birds are not 

 nearly so plentiful as the Curlews {Numenius arquatus), though 

 they always feed and associate with them, and it is not always 

 easy to pick them out from the flight ; their habits are, I think, 

 the same as the larger species. 



281. Tringa minuta, Leisler. Little Stint. 



Male. Iris dusky ; bill, tarsi, and feet black. These may be 

 found feeding at low water amongst the mud and weeds in the 

 bay. They are gregarious, and are, I think, only found here in 

 winter. 



[This species has also been obtained by Mr. Andersson at 

 Walvisch Bay.— J. H. G.] 



282. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanderling. 

 Female. Iris dusky; bill black ; tarsi and feet black. 



These pretty Sandpipers are found on the sea-beach ; they are 

 gregarious, and run about with great activity when feeding, 



