186 ARDEID^. 
These captive Herons were quite masters of the various 
Kites and Buzzards confined in the same patio^ and ceaselessly 
wandered around, hunting flies, which they caught when 
settled on the walls or ground, never attempting to take them 
on the wing ; hut, poising the head two or three times, as a 
man would a dart before throwing it, they never missed their 
aim. 
This species breeds in the marismas ; but I have no personal 
knowledge of its nesting-habits. In the winter the adults are 
white, excepting on the crown of the head, which is marked 
with buff. 
Length about 20 inches ; larger than Ardeola comata, 
smaller than Herodias garzetta. 
258. Ardeola comata (Pall.). The Squacco Heron. 
Moorish. Aishus [Favier ; but he applies this name to all 
the Herons) . Spanish. Garza canaria (from its colour) . 
" This species is nearly as common around Tangier as 
Ardeola russata, occurring in small flocks during migration. 
Some remain in the country to breed, nesting on the ground 
among sedges, laying in May and June five eggs, which are 
more oval in shape than those of A. purpurea, but of the same 
colour.^' — Favier. 
I found this Heron in great numbers about the swamps of 
Ras-Doura towards the end of April ; and they were, there, by 
far the most common species of Ardeidce. 
On the Spanish side the Squacco Heron is entirely 
migratory, arriving dui-ing the month of April. They are 
common in the marisma of the Guadalquivir ; but I never 
observed any near Gibraltar, nor did I ever see them folloAving 
cattle, like the preceding species. They nest late in the 
season ; but I regret to be unable to give any personal infor- 
mation as to their breeding-habits. 
This species (beautiful as all the family are) is, to my 
mind, by far the most handsome and elegant of all the 
European Herons. It is, at the same time, the smallest of 
them, and further to be distinguished by the crest, which 
