Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 271 
[In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1869, p. 300, this species was included 
in Mr. Ayres’s first list of Transvaal birds under the desig- 
nation of Botaurus capensis; but I now agree with the opinion 
expressed by Mr. Dresser in his ‘ Birds of Europe,’ that the 
Bittern of South Africa is not specifically distinct from that 
of Europe, although the average dimensions of South-African 
specimens seem to be less than that of European. 
The following measurements are taken from five Transvaal 
skins sent by Mr. Ayres, and I also give those of two British 
specimens for comparison :— 
Bill from Middle 
Transvaal. forehead. Wing. Tarsus. toe s. u. 
@. wocoocco000 2°5 13:2 36 37 
6G oncogooadc 25 13:0 36 35 
G@  oovoocosac 2°4 12:7 36 35 
@  ancoododoc 2°3 12:7 36 o7 
Oaieyahcteveiots 906 2:3 11:6 3:2 32 
British. 
@ occroooooe 2:9 13°'8 38 39 
® ‘voovosoods 28 13:7 o7 3'8 
Mr. Ayres sends the following note of the colour of the 
iris in three Transvaal specimens :—“ Male, shot 3rd October, 
ashy hazel; male, shot 3rd December, hazel, dusky towards 
the outer edge; male, shot Ist August, tawny brown, with 
an outer edging of dark red-brown.”—J. H. G.] 
PorPHYRIO SMARAGDONOTUS, Temm. Green-backed Por- 
phyrio. 
The specimen sent, shot 20th June, is the only one I have 
been able to get lately. This species is decidedly not so plen- 
tiful in the neighbourhood of Potchefstroom as it used to be 
some years back: whether the gradual decrease of rain in 
this country the last few years has had any thing to do with 
this, I cannot say ; but it is very possible, for the swamps have 
had less water in them, and are become more overgrown with 
weeds. Duck, too, are getting scarcer and scarcer year by 
year. . 
Popicrrs minor (Gmel.). Little Grebe. 
Female, adult, shot 9th July. In process of losing the 
nuptia dress. 
