BIBDS OF EGYPT. 269 



without the least fear of man. On the ground it is graceful, 

 but looks awkward on first taking wing. It is a useful bird 

 to the natives, as it causes great havoc among the locusts 

 and other insects, in this respect replacing the Sacred Ibis, 

 for which bird it is usually made to do duty with the 

 tourist. In August it breeds in large flocks in the sont 

 woods. 



Winter. — Entire plumage pure white, shaded with buff on 

 the crown. 



Summer. — Top of the head and nape, crop, and back buff', 

 such parts of the plumage being composed of hairs rather 

 than feathers ; a bare patch in front of the eye and heah 

 yelloio ; legs olive-black ; irides pale yellow. 



Entire length 20'5 inches ; culmen 2'4; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 3-2. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 278. 



281. Ardeola comata (Pall.). Squacco Heron. 



The present species is distributed in small numbers 

 throughout Egypt and Nubia, where it is a resident. I have 

 shot it on the banks of the river near Dendera in May, and 

 saw it in flocks at Damietta and in the Fayoom in February. 

 Von Heuglin observes that he encountered it in numbers 

 between Assouan and Dongola in June and July. 



Chin, upper part of the throat, abdomen, wings, rump, and 

 tail white, shaded with buff' on the wing-coverts ; a long crest 

 of wJdte feathers with black edges ; head, neck, and chest 

 brownish buff, the feathers on the crown more completely 

 edged with dusky black than those of the neck ; back light 



