So 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



THE GIANT HERON. 



The Giant Heron (Anka Goliath) is a powerful bird, of about fifty-two inches long and 

 seventy-one inches broad ; the wing measures twenty-one and the tail eight inches. Upon the heacL 

 upper neck, centre of breast, and belly, the plumage is brownish red ; the back and upper breast are 



THE GREAT WHITE HERON (ffeivdias alba). ONE-SIXTH NATURAL SIZE. 



dark grey, and the throat and gullet white ; the eyes are yellow, the eye-rings violet, and the bridles 

 green ; the upper mandible is black, and lower one violet tipped with greenish yellow ; the foot is 

 black. This species leads a solitary life upon the shores of the fresh-water lakes and streams of 

 Central Africa. In disposition it is extremely shy ; it flies badly, has a harsh loud voice, and subsists 

 upon fish, reptiles, birds, and small quadrupeds. In other respects it closely resembles the Ardca 

 cinerea. We are entirely without particulars respecting its habits. 



