270 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 
gradually changing into a sooty black at the outer edge; bill 
dusky brown, this colour extending to the eye, lower part of 
the under mandible pale yellow; skin about the eye pale 
greenish yellow; tarsi and feet greenish yellow, brighter on 
the ankile-joints and soles of the feet, upper surface of the 
toes dusky brown. Total length 20°5 inches. 
This was a solitary bird, and I suppose a young one; it rose 
from some sedges. 
[The plumage of this specimen much resembles ae of the 
female figured in ‘The Ibis’ for 1871, pl. 9.—J. H. G.] 
354. ArpEA BUBULCUS, Audouin. Western Buff-backed 
Heron. 
Male, shot 25th March, shows no signs of nuptial dress. 
Irides very pale chrome, darker towards the outer edge ; eye- 
lids also pale chrome; bill adarker chrome, but paler towards 
the gape ; tarsi and feet dusky sooty. . 
Sex uncertain, shot 19th June. Shows no sign of nuptial 
dress, except a decided tinge of rufous on the crown of the 
head; bill chrome-yellow, greenish yellow towards the tip ; 
tibiz dusky greenish yellow; tarsi and feet almost black. 
Female, shot 25th July. In similar plumage to the 
preceding specimen, but with rather more rufous on the 
crown of the head ; irides as in the first-mentioned specimen ; 
bill and skin about the eye bright chrome-yellow ; tibiz and 
tarsi pale yellow; feet dusky yellow. The stomach of this 
bird was crammed with rather large frogs. 
All the above were shot near Potchefstroom ; but the species 
is apparently getting scarcer in this part of the country. 
Arperra popicers (Bp.). Rufous-necked Little Bittern. 
Female, adult, shot 10th March. Wing 4:9 inches, bill 
from forehead 1:9, tarsus 1°6. Inrides bright brick-red; bill 
very pale chrome, greenish towards the base and gape, and 
dusky brown on the ridge and tip; tarsi and feet grass-green, 
but with the back of the tarsi and soles of the feet pale 
yellow. ‘The stomach contained small fish. 
Boravrus steviaris (Linn.). Great Bittern. 
A specimen shot near Potchefstroom 1st August contained 
perch, frogs, and chips of wood. 
