AEDEID^E. 163 



different, we are unable to furnish a -description of the eggs 

 and nest of the European species. 



THE LITTLE EGRET. Egretta garzetta. This is another 

 occasional visitant of our country. " Its best acknowledged 

 range is southern Europe, Greece, and northern Africa." 

 The plumage both of this and of the last species is pure 

 white. Of the eggs and nest of this bird we cannot write 

 with certainty. 



THE BUFF-BACKED EGRET. Egretta russata. This bird, 

 which is also called the Buff-backed Heron by some authors, 

 is of rare occurrence in Britain ; and we are not in posses- 

 sion of any satisfactory statement with regard to its nidi- 

 fication. 



THE SQUACCO HERON. Egretta ralloides. Several ex- 

 amples of this Egret have been taken in this country. The 

 native locality of the species appears to be along the south- 

 western parts of Asia, in Egypt, and Nubia. It has however 

 been found in various parts of Europe, but not of its more 

 northern regions. It inhabits the banks of stagnant waters, 

 morasses, the sides of rivers, and low lands near the sea-shore. 

 The Squacco Heron feeds on small fishes, mollusca, and in- 

 sects, and is said to build on trees, but the eggs are un- 

 known. We have derived these particulars from the second 



