ABDEA GARZETTA 167 



plumes, their numbers are sadly diminished, although a few of each 

 of the above mentioned species are still to be found nesting in the 

 more secluded and impenetrable parts of the marshes. 



The locality is certainly a most attractive one, the Djebel Eshkul 

 standing between the splendid lake of Bizerta on the one side and 

 extensive marshes on the other, and rising up in their midst like an 

 island. During the winter, indeed, the mountain is almost completely 

 surrounded by water, but this is so shallow in some parts that one 

 can easily wade across it. This I often had to do myself, when wild- 

 fowl shooting there, although in very wet seasons I preferred crossing 

 on horseback. Many a pleasant day's sport have I had in that neigh- 

 bourhood, for besides the marshes, teeming with innumerable water- 

 fowl of all sorts, the dense " maquis " thickets of the Ujebel Eshkul 

 held many wild-boar and an occasional hysena, and the Arabs of the 

 district, a fine sporting tribe, were always ready to join in a "hunt." 



To add to the charms of the spot, from an artistic point of vievv', 

 there was a herd of semi-wild buffaloes, which roamed at will over 

 the marshes and lower slopes of the Djebel Eshkul, enhancing the 

 savage wildness and picturesque beauty of the situation and giving 

 life-colouring to the scene. These buffaloes were the property of the 

 Bey of Tunis, and were more or less strictly preserved, but as " rogues " 

 were not imfrequently found among them, I made a point, when 

 shooting in their vicinity, of carrying a few ball-cartridges in my 

 pocket, to be prepared for any emergency ! 



The Little Egret occurs not uncommonly in Algeria and Marocco, 

 and is said to breed in both countries. In Sicily it is sometimes most 

 abundant during the spring, and Doderlein states that he had seen 

 large flocks of the species composed of a hundred individuals or more 

 towards the end of May. The species is said to breed in the island 

 and to be resident there to some extent. 



In its habits it is sociable and gregarious, and when breeding in 

 marshes or on the ground, the nests of the species may be found close 

 together and touching each other. Although essentially a marsh, or 

 swamp-loving bird, it may often be met with on the sea-shore. It is 

 not particularly shy, and may be approached without great difficulty. 

 Its snow-white plumage also renders it a conspicuous mark and the 

 bird often falls a victim to the " gunner." Its food appears to be the 

 same as that of the preceding species. In captivity it sometimes 

 becomes remarkably tame and will feed from one's hand, taking 



