GREAT WHITE HERON. 149 
ARDEA ALBA, Linneus. 
GREAT WHITE HERON. 
I have felt some doubts as to whether this fine 
species can be fairly included in the Norfolk list, but 
on the whole, I think I should be least justified in 
omitting it. A fine specimen in Mr. Gurney’s posses- 
sion was purchased by him, with other rarities (all of 
which he was assured at the time had been killed in 
this county) of the late Mr. Thurtell, of Eaton, when 
selling off his collection of Norfolk birds.* Another 
example of this bird, in Mr. Stephen Miller’s collection 
at Yarmouth, was also sold in 1853, but of its history, 
unfortunately, there is no record, nor am I aware in 
whose possession it now is. To this, however, may be 
added, on the authority of Mr. Joseph Clarke, of Saffron 
Walden, that Mr. Miller once found “the wings and 
feathers” of a great white heron somewhere near 
Yarmouth. 
The following instances of the occurrence of this 
heron in the adjoining county of Suffolk are thus given 
by Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear :—“On the 3rd of 
October last (1823 or 1824) in a walk on the banks of the 
river Stour, we observed a large White Heron cross over 
from the Suffolk to the Essex side of the river. It 
appeared to be pure white, and to stand up rather taller 
than some Common Herons which were feeding not far 
off. A similar bird was observed in the spring on the 
Oakley shores; and subsequently to our observation, one 
was seen on the banks of the river Orwell.” 
* Most of the rarer birds in Mr. Thurtell’s collection were 
formerly in the possession of the late Mr. Hunt, as I am informed 
by his son. But unfortunately the “ British Ornithology” never 
having been completed, there is no letter-press to accompany Mr. 
Hunt's clever drawing of the great white heron. 
