NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 207 



Nests of this species made in swamps are composed of 

 dead reeds and other aquatic herbage, and are larger 

 and m.ore bulky than the nests made in trees. The 

 actions of this species at the nest, and when the colony 

 is invaded, are precisely the same as those of the pre- 

 ceding species. 



Range OF egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Squacco Heron are from four to six in 

 number. They are chalky in texture, unpolished, and 

 greenish-blue. Average measurement, 1*5 inch in length, 

 by 1*1 inch in breadth. The duration of the period of 

 incubation is unknown, as is also the sex which performs 

 the duty. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Squacco 

 Heron cannot readily be confused with those of any 

 other European species, their size and colour combined 

 readily distinguishing them. 



Family ARDEID^-E. Genus Ardea. 



LITTLE EGRET. 



Ardea garzetta, Li7incBus. 

 (British : Very rare abnormal spring and summer migrant.) 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



Breeding area : Southern Palaearctic region, Ethi- 

 opian and Oriental regions. The Little Egret breeds 

 in Europe in the Spanish peninsula, in Southern France 

 (Rhone delta), Sardinia, Sicily, the valley of the Danube, 

 and Southern Russia. In Asia it breeds in Asia Minor, 

 Palestine, Persia, India and Ceylon, Burma, China and 

 Japan. In Africa it breeds in suitable districts through- 



