HERONS AND EGRETS 239 



It is not uncommon in many localities, except in the 

 Western Cape Colony, whence it has only once been re- 

 corded. We fomid them fairly common along the Aapies 

 River near Waterval North in the Pretoria District, where 

 they roosted nightly in flocks on the drooping branches of 

 some trees growing on the bank of the river ; at sunset they 

 could be seen flying in long lines from the veld, where they 

 had been freeing the cattle of their ticks (the birds' main 

 article of food). 



Harold Fry discovered this Egret nesting on the Vaal 

 Eiver, near Parys, Orange Free State, in November, 

 and Eoberts, near Balmoral, in December. The eggs are 

 pale blue in colour. 



The Green-backed Heron {Butorides atricafilla) has the 

 top of the head, back and tail glossy dark green ; below 

 ashy-grey except for a streak of rufous down the centre of 

 the breast ; chin, centre of throat and front of neck white. 

 Length, about 16 inches. 



It is found in the Eastern Cape Colony, the lower-lying 

 portions of Natal, ranging northwards. There are a pair 

 of these pretty little Herons in the Transvaal Zoological 

 Gardens, caught when in immature plumage at Six-mile 

 Spruit, near Pretoria. 



The Night Heron {Nycticorax nycticorax) has the crown 

 and back greenish-black ; neck and the best part of the 

 wing dove-grey ; rest of plumage snowy white, including 

 two long plumes springing from the back of the head. 

 Length, 22 inches. 



It is widely distributed throughout South Africa. We 

 found it common on the Valsch Eiver at Kroonstad in 

 April, 1906 ; there was quite a large proportion in the 

 immature grey dress. 



