COMMON GAULIN. 335 



unruffled plumage, and but a single drop of blood 

 oozing through the neck. 



Some weeks after I saw another directing its 

 flagging flight over the pasture ; it rose gradually 

 as it proceeded, till, when over the river, it began 

 to wheel in large circles at a considerable height. 

 After perhaps half-a-dozen gyrations, it flew ofl" in 

 nearly a straight line for a quarter of a mile or 

 more ; then circled in like manner ; and again pur- 

 sued the same course until I lost it from sight. 



The Gaulins, or Egrets, are usually shy and 

 vigilant birds, but not invariably. One day in 

 May, as I was riding past Cave, my attention 

 was called to one of this species, which was fish- 

 ing in the shallows off" the rivulet's mouth, whither 

 it had resorted for several days past. Its tame- 

 ness was remarkable ; for negro women were wash- 

 ing within a few yards, and it permitted me to 

 ride towards it, and to approach almost close, with- 

 out being alarmed, merely walking slowly away; 

 till at last, when I was within three or four yards, 

 it slowly rose to flight, but alighted not half a 

 stone's cast distant. I was pleased to watch it a while, 

 observing the spotless whiteness of its plumage, 

 and the gracefulness of its form and motions, as 

 it arched its beautiful neck with the elegance of 

 a swan. 



In some situations this is not a scarce bird. 

 Passing along by railway from Kingston to Spanish 

 Town, I have observed in June, the white forms 

 of many Gaulins studding the verdant meadows 

 called the Ferry marshes, taking their morning 



