240 THE BIRDS OF RIVER AND VLEI 



It is somewhat nocturnal in habits, spending the greater 

 part of the day amongst the thick trees and reed-beds 

 bordering, the river. The nest is a saucer-like platform of 

 sticks, and the eggs are pale greeny-blue. 



The White-backed Heron {N. leuconotus) has a white 

 patch on the back and the neck is bright chestnut. Sclater 

 gives only two known records of its occurrence in South 

 Africa, Bathurst by Atherstone and Barber and Hex Eiver, 

 Eustenburg by Lucas. To this we can add Port St. John, 

 Pondoland ; and near Durban (in Durban Museum). (C. G. 

 Davies, C.M.E., favoured us with the loan of a talented 

 water-colour painting made by him of a specimen procured 

 at that place.) Fitzsimons of the Port Elizabeth Museum 

 has recently informed us of the receipt, in August, of a 

 fine example from Hankey, a village not far from Uiten- 

 hage, and we have obtained a pair from the Hennops Eiver, 

 near Pretoria. 



BITTERNS 



The Bitterns (genus Ardetta) number three species, of 

 skulking habits, inhabiting thick reed-beds and rushes, 

 which are in consequence but little known, and are seldom 

 seen by the ordinary individual. They are somewhat Heron- 

 like in appearance, but are smaller. 



IBISES 



The Sacred Ibis {Ibis cetMopica) is pure white excepting 

 the head and neck, which are black and devoid of feathers ; 

 the wings are steel-green and metallic purple. Length, 

 about 3 feet. 



This bird ranges throughout the African Continent, being 

 found on most of the inland waters in South Africa, many 

 resorting to the coast islands to breed in spring. 



