Nest, &c. 
Food. 
16 GRALLATORES. ARDEA. HERon- 
closer investigation into the habitats of species ; and conse- 
quently, several stragglers have been announced, which 
would otherwise have escaped observation. Among others, 
I may mention that in the month of May 1830, a fine 
male of this species, that was killed in Norfolk, came into 
my possession, and its mate into that of Sir WiLL1aM Jar- 
pine *. This bird undergoes considerable change, in co- 
lours and texture of plumage, in its progress from the young 
to the adult and perfect state; and a want of sufficient in- 
formation, arising probably from a neglect of the narrow in- 
vestigation which should attend all pursuits in Natural His- 
tory, has given rise to the long list of synonyms above 
quoted. By Larxam alone it has been specifically describ- 
ed under seven different titles, most of them marking the 
particular change now certified as taking place at the differ- 
ent moultings, in its progress to maturity. Like the Ardea 
cinerea, its geographical distribution extends to the three 
quarters of the old world. In Europe, it is most abundant 
in the southern countries, becoming scarce as it approaches 
to the north. It is, however, well known in Holland, but 
not to so great a degree as the Common Heron. In Asia, 
it abounds on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and on the bor- 
ders of the rivers and lakes of Tartary, and is also an inha- 
bitant of the Philippine Isles. In Africa it is met with in 
Nubia, at the Cape of Good Hope, &c. Its habits are simi- 
lar to those of Ardea cinerea, but a slight difference exists 
in the form of the feet (the toes being very long and slender, 
and closely resembling those of the Bittern), which prevents 
it from perching with the same ease, and consequently so of- 
ten on trees, as the other species, and of course from there 
placing its nest. On the contrary, it builds in the thickest 
and tallest reeds on the margins of the rivers or lakes it fre- 
quents. It is stated to lay three eggs, of a pale bluish-green 
colour, and not quite so large as those of the Common Heron. 
It feeds upon fish, frogs, and other reptiles and insects, and 
* Since writing the above, I have heard of three other specimens, two 
killed in Norfolk, and another near to London. 
