BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



291 



(Breat Mbitc EQret 





The (ireat White Egret {A?'dea alba^ Linnceus) is a very 

 rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British 

 Isles, and is found inhabiting the Southern Palearctic 

 Region. The adult in summer has a short occipital crest ; 

 dorsal plumes, which are elongated, hang over the tail : 

 feathers at bottom of neck, prolonged and lancelote ; 

 ])lumage, entirely white; irides, yellow; bare part round 

 eye, greenish-yellow ; bill, black ; legs and feet, reddish- 

 brown. Length, from forty to forty-two inches. Tlie 

 plumes, which are shorter in the adult female, are absent in 

 the young birds ; bill, yellow. 



