ARDEA BUBULCUS. 208 



They nest on trees, in some seasons, near Rocio, but are so 

 molested that they change their ground frequently. When on 

 the wing, and within a short distance, the black legs and bill are 

 very apparent. 



Entirely white ; bill and legs black ; iris yellow ; bill yellow in winter. 

 In summer. Has long filamentous plumes on back, and two or three 

 long feathers pendent from crown. Length 20 inches. 



218. Ardea bubulcus, Audouin. Buff-backed or Cattle-Heron. 



Moorish. Tair el bukkar (the Cow-bird). Spanish. Garrapatosa, 

 Purgabueyes. 



"This is the most common of the Herons around Tangier, 

 and keeps in small flocks, always following herds of cattle, often 

 sitting on their backs, and chiefly feeding on insects. A small 

 proportion remain- during the breeding-season ; but the majority 

 pass northwards in February, March, and April, returning late in 

 the year," Favier. 



The Buff-backed Heron is very common in low-lying districts 

 in Andalucia, and some are resident, breeding in the marisma ; 

 but they are very irregular in their movements, and chiefly' 

 noticed, while passing, during March and April, as they always 

 attend cattle when in wet marshy ground. The Spanish herds- 

 men naturally object to have them molested, especially as there 

 was at Casas Viejas a legend of a sporting Briton from Gibraltar 

 having shot one as it sat on a cow's back a story which 

 unhappily was founded on fact, and only shows what the 

 Englishman is capable of. 



The local names of this Heron all originate from its habit of 

 attending cattle and freeing them from parasites Garrapatosa,. 

 homgarrapata, a tick or louse: Purgalneyes, cattle-cleaner or 

 purifier. 



A male bird, which had been kept alive for about four years 

 in the patio of the Fonda de Europa, at Seville, during the first 

 week in April (his fifth spring, as far as could be ascertained) 



