THE LARGE EGRET.


(Herodias alba).


Native names : Mallang-bogla, Torra-bogla , Tar-bog/a,

Burra-bogla , Hind.; Dhur-bogla, Bengali; Pedda-tcllakonga ,

Telugn ; A/ala-konga, Gond. ; Vella-koku , Tamils of Ceylon ;

Baddadcl-koku, Cingalese.


This Egret is nearly up to the typical Heron size, being

about a yard long, with the wing nearly fifteen inches, shank

six, and bill a little shorter. But these are merely average

measurements, for it is a most variable species in size; the wing

may be only thirteen inches, or as much as seventeen, and the

shank only just over five or more than eight. The colour cannot

very well vary, being white only ; but the bird puts on a splendid

train of plumes in the breeding season, reaching several inches

beyond the tail. At this time also its complexion (presumably

under the influence of intense jealous} 7 !) undergoes a change ;

ordinarily both bill and face are yellow, but at nesting-time the

bird gets green in the face and black in the bill. The legs are

always black, and the eyes yellow like those of most Herons.


The bird is found practically all over the world, but does

not seem very numerous anywhere. In England it of course

gets shot at sight for being a “casual straggler” ; and in New

Zealand it was so well known as a rarity, and so much admired,

that, “ welcome as the Kotuku ” was a Maori proverb. The

Maories used to keep the bird alive when they could get it, and,

I regret to say, pluck its plumes regularly.


With us this species is a resident, though migratory in

some instances. It is less fond of society than the smaller sizes

of Egret, but will condescend to associate with these in the

social gatherings so much affedted by Herons at the breeding

season. This is during the rains, whenever these may happen to

fall. The eggs are blue-green, and generally three in number.


On account of its great size, which would render it more

secure against the attacks of vermin, this Heron would be a

particularly good species to keep alive in enclosures for the

supply of plumes. It does well in captivity, one having lived

for over twenty years in the Calcutta Zoological Garden, during

which time he must have grown and dropped many pounds’

worth of plumes. He was not a bird of the most genial

disposition; indeed, I used to call him “ Hannibal chollop,”

because, like that celebrity’s, his motto seemed to be “ Two feet

in a circular direction is all I require.”



