16 ORALLATORES. ARDEA. HERON- 



closer investigation into the habitats of species ; and conse- 

 quently, several stragglers have been announced, which 

 would otherwise have escaped observation. Among others, 

 I may mention that in the month of May 1830, a fine 

 male of this species, that was killed in Norfolk, came into 

 my possession, and its mate into that of Sir WILLIAM JAR- 

 DINE *. This bird undergoes considerable change, in co- 

 lours and texture of plumage, in its progress from the young 

 to the adult and perfect state ; and a want of sufficient in- 

 formation, arising probably from a neglect of the narrow in- 

 vestigation which should attend all pursuits in Natural His- 

 tory, has given rise to the long list of synonyms above 

 quoted. By LATHAM alone it has been specifically describ- 

 ed under seven different titles, most of them marking the 

 particular change now certified as taking place at the differ- 

 ent moultings, in its progress to maturity. Like the Ardea 

 cinerea, its geographical distribution extends to the three 

 quarters of the old world. In Europe, it is most abundant 

 in the southern countries, becoming scarce as it approaches 

 to the north. It is, however, well known in Holland, but 

 not to so great a degree as the Common Heron. In Asia, 

 it abounds on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and on the bor- 

 ders of the rivers and lakes of Tartary, and is also an inha- 

 bitant of the Philippine Isles. In Africa it is met with in 



Nest, &c. Nubia, at the Cape of Good Hope, &c. Its habits are simi- 

 lar to those of Ardea cinerea, but a slight difference exists 

 in the form of the feet (the toes being very long and slender, 

 and closely resembling those of the Bittern), which prevents 



Food. it from perching with the same ease, and consequently so of- 

 ten on trees, as the other species, and of course from there 

 placing its nest. On the contrary, it builds in the thickest 

 and tallest reeds on the margins of the rivers or lakes it fre- 

 quents. It is stated to lay three eggs, of a pale bluish-green 

 colour, and not quite so large as those of the Common Heron. 

 It feeds upon fish, frogs, and other reptiles and insects, and 



* Since writing the above, I have heard of three other specimens, two 

 killed in Norfolk, and another near to London. 



