SQUACCO HERON. 487 
but three examples have occurred in Ireland*. Most of these birds were 
obtained in May, which is about the date at which they arrive at their 
breeding-quarters in Southern Europe. There is no record of its occurrence 
in Scotland, 
The Squacco Heron is confined to Africa and the basin of the Mediter- 
ranean and Black Seas. It is an accidental straggler to the Canary 
Islands, but is a resident in all suitable localities in Africa, breeding in 
Algeria, Egypt, Damara Land, the Transvaal, &. In the Spanish 
peninsula it is only known as a summer visitor, and to the east it breeds 
in the valley of the Danube, South Russia, the basin of the Caspian, and 
Palestine. In the rest of Europe it is an accidental straggler to most 
countries south of the Baltic. The Squacco Heron has no ally with which 
it can be confused; it belongs to a small group of Herons which are 
distinguished by their short tarsus, which is not as long as the beak or as 
the middle toe and claw. 
The Squacco Heron is only known in Europe as a migratory: bird, 
arriving in Southern Spain and Greece early in April, but not reaching 
its breeding-grounds on the Danube untilearlyin May. It differs little in 
its habits from the Little Egret and the Night-Heron, but is not quite so 
shy as these birds and is somewhat more gregarious. Although it was not 
so numerous at either of the great breeding-colonies which we visited last 
year, it was more often seen in sailing down the Danube than they were. 
It chiefly frequented the green grassy banks of the river, sometimes singly, 
but generally in small parties consisting of eight or ten individuals. It 
was not nearly so active as the other Herons, and was frequently observed 
standing for a long time in the same position, when alarmed flying on a 
few steps only. It is a remarkably silent bird, and we never heard it 
utter a note, even at the nest; but Naumann says that it utters a low 
hoarse sound somewhat resembling the syllable karr. In its flight the neck 
and legs look very short and the wings very broad, but, like its near allies, 
it flies in a direct steady manner, the bill, which is drawn up close to the 
body, and the legs, which are stretched out, being in one line. Like the 
Night-Heron it is somewhat less of a fish-eater than the Little Egret, the 
stomachs of those we shot containing only beetles and vegetable matter. 
It also eats crabs; and Naumann says that he has found very small fish, 
frogs, small shells, and water-insects in its stomach. He also remarks the 
partiality of this bird for the company of pigs. It is probable that it is 
in the habit of feeding after these animals as they turn up the ground 
with their noses, in the same way that Rooks follow the plough. 
* An example was shot near Killarney in 1875, a second in King’s Co. in 1877, and 
Mr. R. Lloyd Patterson informs me that a third was shot near Londonderry by Mr, Bond 
on the 28rd of November, 1881, 
