of the Lydenburg District. 211 
100. ARDEA BUBULCUS. 
I shot a fine male of this species in a flock which were 
hopping about under some oxen, from which they were pick- 
ing off the ticks. I have obtained them close to Lydenburg 
and Potchefstroom, and I have seen them near Pretoria, Rus- 
tenberg, and near the Vaal river. They congregate in flocks, 
standing on one leg basking in the sun. 
101. ARDETTA MINUTA. 
The Little Bittern is considered to be rather rare in the 
Transvaal, I procured two specimens on one occasion only, 
in December 1874. As these birds have a knack of hiding in 
the reeds, they, no doubt, often pass unobserved. 
102. BorauRUS STELLARIS. 
The Bittern is found plentifully in the district of Potchef- 
stroom. ‘Their booming note used at one time to so frighten 
the Boers that they would never go into a vley, even on 
horseback, when they heard it, believing it was a large snake. 
I have shot them near Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, but 
never further north than about thirty miles north of Pot- 
chefstroom. 
103. TANTALUS IBIS. 
I procured one of these at Potchefstroom, where, I am told, 
a few are sometimes seen together ; but in 1875 mine was the 
only specimen obtained in the district. It is said that they 
inhabit similar places to G. ethiopicus. 
104. GERONTICUS HTHIOPICUS. 
I have observed these birds in flocks of about ten or a dozen 
at the sides of vleys and swampy places near Potchefstroom 
and towards the mouth of the Mooi river, where their white 
plumage and black shining necks cannot but attract the notice 
of the bystander. They walk about thrusting their long bills 
into the mud, and then will stop suddenly and appear to 
listen with their heads on one side, when they fly off, and 
circling round alight a few yards further away. They have 
their favourite feeding-places, which I generally found to be 
in corners near the bends of the rivers. I have also shot 




