BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



291 



(Breat Wbite Egret 



THE Great White Egret (Ardea all)a, Linnaeus) is a very 

 rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British 

 Isles, and is found inhabiting the Southern Palearctic 

 Region. The adult in summer has a short occipital crest ; 

 dorsal plumes, which are elongated, hang over the tail; 

 feathers at bottom of neck, prolonged and lancelote; 

 plumage, entirely white; irides, yellow; bare part round 

 eye, greenish-yellow; bill, black; legs and feet, reddish- 

 brown. Length, from forty to forty-two inches. The 

 plumes, which are shorter in the adult female, are absent in 

 the young birds ; bill, yellow. 



