PURPLE HEROX. 129 



cimen killed in Norfolk, and many others are 

 known to have been procured in different parts of 

 the southern and eastern counties. It should be 

 observed, however, that birds, " in the flesh," 

 frequently come to the London markets from the 

 continent, and may be (to increase their value) 

 given out as British-killed specimens. Its most 

 abundant country is perhaps Africa, the north and 

 eastern coasts ; and we have received it also from 

 the Cape of Good Hope. " Mr. Franklin exhibited 

 specimens, at the Zoological Society, that were 

 brought by himself from India;"* and Java is 

 given as a locality.f 



Of the habits of the Purple Heron we have no 

 detailed account ; to a certain extent it will re- 

 semble the others, but there are, without doubt, 

 peculiarities belonging to it. Neither do we know 

 much of its nidification, whether it is gregarious 

 during that season, or breeds singly. Temminck 

 states, that the nest is made " dans les roseaux, ou 

 sur les bois en taillis," very rarely upon trees ; and, 

 altogether, the habits approach nearer to those 

 of the bitterns than of the typical herons. Writers 

 agree in stating, that it is far from being uncom- 

 mon in Holland, where it also breeds, and where 

 we have seen it nailed up to trees, among crows 

 and birds of prey ; if some details of its economy 

 could be procured from thence, they would be in- 

 teresting. 



The upper parts, wings, tail, and under tail* 

 * Yarrell. t Horsfield. 



I 



