on the Birds of South-eastern China, 369 



The usual clutch is of four eggs, but three or even two 

 have been noticed. Five occurred on three occasions. 



Eggs vary from 2'6 to .2*18 in length, and in breadth from 

 r79 to 1-61, whilst the average of a large number is 

 2-38 X 1-7. 



Herod IAS alba. 



The Great White Egret is an occasional winter and spring 

 visitor to the coast of Kwang Tung, but has not been met 

 Avith inland. 



Garzetta garzetta. 



The White Egret is a migrant, and very large flocks of it 

 may be seen at Moto, Deep Bay, and elsewhere. Although 

 commonest in the spring and autumn months, a few in- 

 dividuals may be seen on the West lliver all through the 

 summer. 



At Tak Hing an enterprising Celestial sportsman has 

 made some decoys in the likeness of the species and placed 

 them in trees with intent to deceive, and with like evil 

 purpose has put other decoys, which are presumed to repre- 

 sent Ardea cinerea, in the river on the water's edge. He has 

 moreover built a refuge to lie in wait for these fowls, 

 but so far his truly praiseworthy eftbrts appear to have been 

 unrewarded, although the decoys have been there for years. 



Demiegretta sacra. 



This Egret w^as met with in the spring and early summer, 

 and never away from the coast. The white phase of plumage 

 was not observed. 



Nycticorax nycticorax. 



Night Herons are very common on the river and certain 

 parts of the coast, and are resident. At Samshui, behind 

 the temple, there is a heronry of this species, numbering 

 some three hundred pairs. The nests, placed in slender 

 bamboos, are small platforms of sticks, so frail that the 

 eggs, when present, can often be seen through them, and in 

 size ai-e only about as large as those of our Ringdove, at least 

 this is the case with the earlier ones. Later in the season 



