204 ARDEID.E. 



began to change the colour of the legs and the basal half of both 

 mandibles to a pinkish red ; the irides also changed to beautiful 

 rich pink colour, with a very slight golden ring round the black 

 pupil. This change was quite completed before the bird had 

 fully assumed the buff-coloured back, which is the mark of the 

 breeding-dress. 



A female, in confinement with the above-mentioned, laid many 

 eggs of a very pale bluish-white colour, showing a greenish tint 

 inside when held to the light. 



These captive Herons were quite masters of the various Kites 

 and Buzzards confined in the same patio, and ceaselessly wandered 

 around, hunting flies, which they caught when settled on the 

 walls or ground, never attempting to take them on the wing ; 

 but, poising the head two or three times, as a man would a dart 

 before throwing it, they never missed their aim. 



In summer. Crown, nape, feathers hanging from lower neck, and plumes 

 on back reddish buff ; these feathers are elongated and hair-like, especially 

 on the back ; rest of plumage white ; bill reddish at base, yellow at tip ; 

 iris rich pink, with golden ring round pupil. 



In winter. Entirely white, except a patch of reddish buff on the crown ; 

 bill and iris yellow. Length 18 inches. 



219. Ardea ralloides, Scopoli. The Squacco Heron. 



Moorish. Aishus (Favier ; but he applies this name to all the 

 Herons). Spanish. Garza canaria (from colour). 



" This species is nearly as common around Tangier as the last, 

 occurring in small flocks during migration. Some remain in the 

 country to breed, nesting on the ground among sedges, laying in 

 May and June five eggs, which are more oval in shape than those 

 of the Purple Heron, but of the same colour." Favier. 



I found this bird in great numbers about the swamps of Eas 

 el Doura towards the end of April, where they were by far the 

 most common of the Herons. 



On the Spanish side the Squacco Heron is entirely migratory, 

 arriving during the month of April. They are common in the 



