DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



Distribution. — Throughout Africa, Madagascar, Southern 

 Europe, and Asia. 



Habits. — The great white egret frequents marshes, ponds, 

 and pools in search of aquatic Hfe, such as frogs, snails, and small 

 tish. Owing to the high price obtained for its beautiful de- 

 composed nuptial plumes, it has been relentlessly persecuted, 

 and is now comparatively scarce in South Africa. It is a 

 migrant, and comes down from the north in spring and summer 

 seasons, disappearing again in the late autumn. It has not 

 been known to breed in South Africa. It nests in societies, 

 and builds a nest of sticks among the high branches of a tree. 

 At other times the nest is built \n reed beds. The eggs are 

 pale blue, and usually 4 in number. 



Little Egret {Herodias garzetta). (Vol. II., p. 215.) 



Description. — The adult in breeding plumage is pure white 

 with a pair of narrow plumes about 6 in. long growing from the 

 nape of the neck. A bunch of shorter plumes and decomposed 

 feathers at the base of the neck in front, decomposed plumes 

 from the lower part of the back falling over the tail. Iris yellow. 

 Skin at base of bill whitish, with a reddish-yellow tinge. Legs 

 black. Feet greenish-yellow with darker joints. 



Lengthy 27.0; tail, 4.0 ; wing, 12.0. 



The birds in non-breeding plumage lack the ornamental 

 plumes. 



Distribution. — South, Central, and Northern Africa, Mada- 

 gascar, Southern Europe, and Asia. They are migratory. 



Habits. — These egrets associate in small flocks and frequent 

 marshes, ponds, vleis, mouths of rivers and lagoons, and feed 

 on aquatic life, such as fish, frogs, and Crustacea. I have seen 

 them out on the open veld feeding on grasshoppers and locusts ; 

 also in association with the cattle egret. They breed in South 

 Africa, associating in heronries, and also in company of two 

 species of herons. A clutch of eggs consists of 3 to 4. Colour, 

 pale blue. 



i6c 



