238 THE BIRDS OF RIVER AJSTD VLEI 



top of the head (which is crested), ear-coverts, back of neck, 

 tail and wings black ; above blackish-slate ; below slate- 

 grey with the lower part of the neck clothed with lengthened 

 plumes. Length, 38 inches. This species ranges all over the 

 sub-continent, and resembles the others in habits. 



The Purple Heron {Ardea furpurea) has the crown black 

 ornamented by two long plumes ; above slaty ; lower breast 

 dark maroon, darkening towards the abdomen ; lower neck 

 and upper breast pale rufous. Length, 35 to 36 inches. 



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. Length, 38 inches. 



The two smaller species (wing 12 inches) are the YeUow- 

 billed Egret {H. Irachyrhynchos), 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 bufSsh-pink. Length, 21 inches. 



