The pretty ardetta (_Herodias bubulcus_), of a light yellow colour when at rest, but seemingly of a pure white when flying, takes wing, and sweeps across the green grass in large numbers, often showing us where buffaloes and elephants are, by perching on their backs.

Flocks of ducks, of which the kind called "Soriri" (_Dendrocygna personata_) is most abundant, being night feeders, meditate quietly by the small lagoons, until startled by the noise of the steam machinery.

Pelicans glide over the water, catching fish, while the Scopus (_Scopus umbretta_) and large herons peer intently into pools.

The large black and white spur-winged goose (a constant marauder of native gardens) springs up, and circles round to find out what the disturbance can be, and then settles down again with a splash.

Hundreds of Linongolos (_Anastomus lamelligerus_) rise on the wing from the clumps of reeds, or low trees (the _Eschinomena_, from which pith hats are made), on which they build in colonies, and are speedily high in mid-air.