44 



BRITISH BIKDS. 



The Egret seldom exceeds a pound and a half in 

 weight, and rarely a foot and a half in length. A 

 bare green skin is extended from the beak to the 

 eyes; the irides are pale yellow: the bill and legs, 

 black. Like the common Heron, they perch and 

 build on trees, and live on the same kinds of food. 



This species is found in almost every temperate 

 and warm climate, and must formerly have been 

 plentiful in Great Britain, if it be the same bird as 

 that mentioned by Leland, in the list or bill of fare 

 prepared for the famous feast of Archbishop Xevil, 

 in which one thousand of these birds were served 

 up. No wonder the species has become nearly 

 extinct in this country! 



