68 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



William Evans. Two examples in the National Collection, in 

 full breeding-plumage, doubtless had a Dutch origin. 



Range outside the British Islands. The Purple Heron nests in 

 suitable localities throughout Central and Southern Europe, 

 and as far north as Holland. It is likewise a resident in Egypt, 

 but also passes in winter down the Nile Valley to Abyssinia, 

 and even to South Africa, where, moreover, it also breeds. Its 

 eastern range is not known with exactitude, but it is probably 

 the present species which breeds in Central Asia, as it certainly 

 winters on the Persian Gulf, having been found at Fao by Mr. 

 W. D. Gumming. In India, however, it is represented by an 

 allied species, Phoyx manillensis, which has the fore-part of the 

 throat and neck uniform rufous, without any black streaks. 

 This form extends from the Indian Peninsula and Ceylon east- 

 wards to Burma and Southern China up to the river Yangtze, 

 and visits the Philippines, Borneo, and Celebes on its winter 

 migrations. 



Habits. The Purple Heron is a frequenter of marshy grounds, 

 where it loves to skulk among the reed-beds, and it is altogether 

 less in evidence than the Common Heron. I made its ac- 

 quaintance in the Hansag marshes in Hungary, and obtained 

 three clutches of its eggs, but the birds were difficult to flush, 

 and seemed to hide themselves as much as possible, till the 

 approach of many boats caused them at last to take wing, but 

 they did not return to their nests and complain like the Night- 

 Herons. They feed largely on fish, and are said to be more 

 active at night-time, resting during the day in the peculiar 

 way that Herons have, standing perfectly motionless with 

 their long necks stretched out, in an apparently uncomfortable 

 position. They also devour frogs and small rodents as well as 

 water-insects and their larvae. 



Nest. In Europe a flimsy structure of reeds, a few of which 

 are placed upon rushes which are bent down to form a nest. 

 It is sometimes close to the ground in shallow water, but as 

 often it is built upon reeds where the water is deep. In 

 Ceylon, Colonel Legge has found the species nesting in trees 

 along with the Great White Heron. 



Eggs. From three to five in number, of a greenish blue 

 colour. Axis, 2-1-2-4 inches; diam., 1*45- 1*7 



