266 
Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall on 
about the commonage. Its habit of feeding on cattle-ticks 
has often been alluded to, and the Mashonas have dubbed it 
“ Mafudsa-ngombo 93 (the cattle-herd) in recognition of this. 
However, the stomachs of three birds examined this season 
contained none of these creatures, but only fish, larvae of 
dragon-flies, grasshoppers, a large spider, and a water-bug. 
216. Herodias brachyrhyncha. (Short-billed White 
Egret.) 
A single specimen in Mr. Swynnerton’s collection seems 
to be referable to this species. 
217. Herodias garzetta. (Little Egret.) 
This species is evidently very much scarcer than H. bubulcus, 
and is a more water-loving bird. 
21S. Ardea cinerea. (Common Heron.) 
Fairly common, but usually occurring singly. 
219. Ardea purpurea. (Purple Heron.) 
Only two females of this species have come under my 
notice, both of which were shot close to Salisbury. 
220. Ardea goliath. (Goliath Heron.) 
Seen by Mr. Ayres, but not procured. 
221. Nycticorax griseus. (Night-Heron.) 
I have examined a pair of these birds which were obtained 
in the Salisbury district. 
222. Butorides atricapilla. (African Black-headed 
Heron.) 
Mr. Ayres found this species rare on the Umfuli river. 
223. Ardetta sturmi. (African Dwarf-Bittern.) 
A fairly common bird, occurring in pairs along streams 
and vleis where there are bushes close to the water’s edge, 
for in these it is wont to perch. It is by no means shy, and 
the flight is slow and heavy. It utters a loud croaking cry 
when flushed, but I am not aware that it possesses the power 
of “ booming 99 like the Common Bittern. This species 
feeds to a considerable extent on insects as well as on fishes. 
