Mr. Gordon Dalgleish,



i So



of the wildest and most cunning of all birds, and it is no easy

matter to shoot them. This is the case also with the Wood

Pigeon ( Columba palumbas), and yet I have seen one almost

caught before she would leave her eggs.


^ if if


The Little Egret (Herodias garzetta.')


This Egret may at once be distinguished from the last by

its smaller size, and possesses a crest in the breeding season,

consisting of two long white feathers : moreover the bill is black

at all season.


This is perhaps the best known and most persecuted of

all the Egrets, and owing to the enormous demand for its plumes,

has, in many parts of the world, been almost completely exter¬

minated. In India it is common in many parts, but that the

value there of its plumes is well known is proved from the fact

that as much as Rs. i'5 per tola is sometimes realised for them ;

Rs. 8 and io being paid for those of H. alba and H. intermedia.


* * *


The Smaller Egret (Herodias intermedia :).


Pure white. The breeding plumes on the back nearly

touching the ground and varying in length from 15 to 17 inches.

There are also long breast plumes and no crest. Bill in breed¬

ing season black, at other times yellow. Total length about 26

inches.


This Egret is found throughout India, Ceylon, and parts

of Burmah. It is also found in China and Japan. Its habits and

nesting arrangements agree with the other Egrets. It breeds in

large colonies on trees. The eggs are a pale bluish green,

generally four in number.


The Cattle Egret (.Bubulcns coromandus).


In winter, pure white, witli the exception of a buff patch

on the forehead. I11 the breeding season, the whole of the head,

neck, and back plumes a delicate orange buff. The back plumes

do not extend beyond the tail. The bill is yellow at all seasons.

Length : 20 inches.


This Egret derives its name from being constantly at¬

tendant on cattle and buffaloes, and is frequently to be seen



