LITTLE EGRET. 



3 93 



Newcastle-on-Tyne, in August 1838, by Arthur Strickland, 

 who stated that one was seen for several weeks at Hornsea 

 Mere, and was caught about 1825. This example forms part 

 of the Strickland collection, now in the York Museum, and 

 was recorded in the Report of the British Association (1838, 

 p. 106) ; the " Magazine of Natural History " (1839, P- 21) ; 

 and Zoologist (1856, p. 5035). 



The second specimen, which is in full summer plumage, 

 was killed in 1834 by John Norris on the river Hull at Aike, 

 near Beverley, and was sold to the late James Hall of Scor- 

 borough. At his decease it was purchased on behalf of the 

 authorities of the York Museum, and is now in the Rudston 

 collection in that institution (see Neville Wood's " Naturalist," 

 November 1838 ; and Yarrell's " Brit. Birds," 1843, ii. p. 455). 



Near Barnsley, one was obtained at New Hall, in 1821, by 

 the late J. S. Townend, and was formerly in the possession 

 of Sir Joseph Radcliffe, Bart. (Farrar's MS. 1844). This 

 specimen is considered doubtful (Harting's " Handbook," 

 2nd Ed. p. 440). 



The above records are all mentioned by Albs in his Report, 

 already quoted. 



A later occurrence, reported by Mr. A. S. Hutchinson of 

 Derby, is unquestionably referable to the species under notice. 

 The recorder, a naturalist of great experience, writes in 1902 

 that, in the summer of 1868, he saw a Great White Heron 

 perched on a fir tree at Clay Wheel Dam, near Wadsley Bridge, 

 where he watched it at close quarters for nearly half an hour, 

 and had no doubt whatever as to its identity. 



LITTLE EGRET, 



Ardea garzetta (Z.). 



Accidental visitant from south-east Europe and Africa, of extremely 

 rare occurrence. 



This species breeds in south-east Europe, and is found 

 in the whole of Africa, India, China, and Japan. 



