igiQ'l Cape Sayi Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 519 



315. Ardea cocoi Linn. Cocoi Heron, 



In ' Argentine Ornitliology ' Mr. Hudson's long article 

 is less an account of tliis individual species than an inter- 

 esting dissertation or ^' causcrie "' on Herons and other birds 

 in general. 



My own previous notes of a dozen lines (Ibis, 1880, 

 p. 158) would seem to embody all I had to state about the 

 Cocoi Heron. My diary since that year is only a long 

 record of birds observed, singly or in pairs, and at all 

 seasons of the year. It has neither increased nor diminished 

 in numbers, but in the spring of 1913, from September to 

 the eiul of December (when the flood was at its greatest), 

 I saw only four between Buenos Ayres and Ajo on as many 

 journeys, and none at all on the Yngleses. There w^as 

 apparently too much water — with consequent dispersal of 

 fish-fry — for even a Ilei'on. 



I must qualify my former statement to the effect that the 

 Cocoi Heron " nests singly, not in colonies.'* For, though 

 the first part is correct as a general rule, yet I have since 

 found five pairs or upwards associated Avith a colony of the 

 White Egret i Ardea egretta Gm.). In this latter case the 

 nests resembled those of the Egret, being built solely of 

 junco and slight in make; whereas solitary nests are more 

 solid, with a basis of durasnillo. 



The eggs have been already described. None of my later 

 clutches exceeded three in number. The average measure- 

 ment of the eggs is 65 x 17 mm. 



316. Ardea egretta Gm. White Egret. 



Iris light yellow. Eyelids and bare parts round eyes 

 greenish-yellow. Bill yellow. Legs, feet, and claws 

 black. 



Hudsou has incorporated my former notes in his brief 

 allusion to the common and widely-distributed White Egret 

 in ' Argentine Ornithology.' Accordingly, there only 

 remains for me to bring my account of 1879 up to the 

 present date. 



Had my esteemed friend — the writer referred to — foreseen 



