60 BIRD GALLERY. 
and their buff-striped breast turned towards the spectator. In this 
position they so closely resemble the surrounding reeds that they easily 
escape detection. The visitor’s attention is directed to the Little 
Bittern (Ardetta minuta) (622) [Plate XIV.], which has been mounted 
to illustrate this marvellous instinct of self-preservation. Owing to 
the draining of the extensive reed-swamps and constant persecution 
the Common Bittern (B. stellaris) (615) ceased to breed in this 
country, though if continued as a winter-visitor in small numbers. 
Now, thanks to protection, a few pairs nest annually in Hast Anglia, 
aud its booming cry is again to be heard across the fens. The 
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (613) is an occasional visitor 
to our shores. 
Passing by the handsome Asiatic Bitterns (Dupetor) (617), the Buff- 
backed Heron (Bubulcus lucidus) (621), and the Squacco Heron (Ardeola 
ralloides) (620), we come to the Tiger-Bitterns (626-628), very hand- 
some birds represented by several genera, and the Green Herons 
(Butorides) (632-634), which form a connecting link between the 
Bitterns and Herons. 
A very remarkable type with wide, shoe-shaped bill will be found in 
the Central American Boatbill (Cancroma) (629), a bird of nocturnal 
[Case 34.] habits. On the floor of the next Case several species of the nearly 
allied Night-Herons (Nycticoraz) (637-689) are exhibited, of which the 
chestnut-backed species are the most handsome, and the common grey 
species (N. nycticorax) (689) is an almost annual visitor to our shores. 
The Reef-Herons (Demiegretta) (645) are noteworthy as possessing 
two phases of plumage—a white form and a grey one. The same 
phenomenon is exhibited in the Blue Herou (Florida cerulea) (641) 
and in the Reddish Egret (Dichromanassa rufa) (646), where one form 
of the species is white and the other rufous. One of the most graceful 
and elegant species is the Great White Heron (Herodias alba) (848), 
which ranges over a large part of the Old World. As already stated, it 
is from Herons and Egrets [ Plate XIII.] in their nuptial plumage that 
the ornamental plumes known as “ ospreys” are procured. 
Passing by the handsome Purple Heron (Phoyx purpurea) (650), we 
may specially draw attention to the Great Heron (Ardea goliath) (681), 
which, as its name implies, is the giant of the group; and, most familiar 
of all, the Common Heron (A. cinerea) (652). Heronries, as the 
colonies of nests are called, are found in many parts of Great Britain and 
Ireland. After the breeding-season is over, the majority of the birds 
disperse over the country. Many go down to the coasts and remain 
away during the autumn and winter, only returning in spring, but, if 
the season is a mild one, they begin to lay in the beginning of March 
or even earlier. Their appetite is insatiable, and they destroy large 
numbers of fish, frogs, young water-fowl, and even water-rats. 
