73 
Ornithology of the Gold Coast. 
156. Glareola pratincola (L.): Hartl. p. 210. 
This bird is not uncommon in the salt lakes and lagoons 
extending between Accra and the river Volta along the sea- 
line. It is gregarious, being generally found in small com¬ 
panies of from ten to twenty. It is, however, in common 
with many other water-birds and wild-fowl, becoming much 
rarer, especially in the neighbourhood of the settlements. 
157. Glareola cine re a. Eras.: Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 487. 
This pretty Pratincole was not uncommon on the Volta. 
There were generally two or three together; but they were 
some little distance apart from each other, appearing to select 
independent bits of ground for feeding, although they would 
rise simultaneously and fly in the same direction. 
They run with great rapidity, and almost always affect large 
open sandbanks, which makes them difficult of approach. 
158. Balearica pavonina (L.): Hartl. p. 218. 
I have observed one or two specimens of this Crane up the 
river Volta; but it is by no means common. In other dis¬ 
tricts, as on the rivers Gambia and Niger, it is of frequent 
occurrence, and is easily domesticated, forming a very beau¬ 
tiful addition to the grounds of the houses of the settlers. 
159. Nycticorax griseus (L.): Sharpe, Ibis, 1872, p. 74. 
Common on Winebah River; not observed elsewhere. 
160. Butorides atricapilla (Afzel.): Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, 
p. 194. 
Exceedingly common along lagoons and about the roots of 
the mangrove-trees, where it may be seen at low tide running 
along the mud with its crouching gait. It is not a shy bird, 
and is rarely molested by the natives. Its food consists of 
small crabs and other shell-fish, beetles, and a small fish called 
the “jumping fish,” which collects in numbers on the man¬ 
grove-mud, and propels itself with its fins or flappers at some 
pace when disturbed. 
161. Platalea tenuirostris, Temm.: Hartl. p. 226. 
I have every reason to believe that this bird frequents the 
Gold Coast, as natives have described it to me. 
