S3 cassell's book of birds. 



air and movements, however, it differs from them in many respects ; it walks with a more stately step, 

 flies faster and more gracefully, and constantly assumes a variety of strange postures ; when standing, it 

 frequently buries its head, neck, and one leg in its plumage, and thus presents the appearance of a 

 ^reat white ball fastened to the top of a thin stick. The large nest of this bird is placed amongst reeds, 

 of portions of which it is also built ; so firm and strong are these heaps that, as we are told, they can 

 support the weight of a man. The eggs are usually three or four in number, and have a smoother 

 shell and bluer tint than those of the species before described. 



THE LESSER EGRET. 



The Lesser Egret (Herodias garzetta) resembles the above bird in its general appearance and 

 habits, but it is not more than twenty-four inches long and forty-two broad ; the wing measures twelve 

 and the tail four inches. In this species the eye is bright red, the beak black, and the foot black, with 

 greenish yellow joints. This beautiful little Egret occupies the same latitudes as the larger species, 

 and, according to Layard, has been procured both in winter and nuptial dress in the vicinity of Cape 

 Town ; also at Colesberg, and at the Kneysna. The stomachs examined by that naturalist contained 

 multitudes of small aquatic shells. A nearly-allied species (Ardea egrettd) is common on the Kneysna, 

 but is so shy as to be almost unapproachable ; it breeds on a small rock on the sea. 



The Little Egret is now very rare in Great Britain, but was formerly much more common, and was 

 regarded by our forefathers as a dainty article of food. In the celebrated feast on the enthronisation 

 of Archbishop Nevill no less than 1,000 Egrets are mentioned in the bill of fare. 



THE CATTLE HERON. 

 The Cattle Heron (Bubulcus ibis) represents a group recognisable by their compact form, 

 short neck, short powerful beak, short legs, and the hair-like development of some of their feathers. 

 The plumage is pure white during the breeding season, adorned with long, flowing, rust-red feathers on 

 the crown, upper breast, and back. The eyes are light yellow, the bridles and eyelids greenish yellow, 

 the beak is orange, and the foot of the adult bird reddish yellow ; that of the young is of a brownish 

 shade. The male is nineteen inches long and thirty-four broad ; the wing measures nine inches and a 

 quarter, and the tail three inches and a quarter; the female is not quite so large. This species is 

 extremely common in Egypt, where, unlike other Herons, it frequents inhabited districts, preferring 

 inundated fields, and only occasionally visiting the banks of lakes or streams. In Egypt it is 

 constantly seen following the buffaloes and cattle, or inspecting their backs, in search of insects or 

 grubs ; and in Eastern Soudan accompanying droves of elephants for the same purpose. We have 

 been told, on reliable authority, that as many as twenty of these birds are sometimes seen upon a 

 single elephant. With the natives they live on most excellent terms, and carry on their acceptable 

 work quite regardless of their presence. Such of these birds as inhabit Egypt commence breeding 

 when the Nile rises, while those dwelling in Eastern Soudan lay somewhat earlier in the year. The 

 nests are built close together upon trees, and are constantly seen close to the huts of the natives. 

 The eggs, from three to five in number, are oval in form, and have a greenish blue shell. 



THE NIGHT HERON. 

 The Night Heron {Nyclicorax Europaus) has a compact body, short, thick, broad beak, curved 

 at its culmen, moderately high legs, broad wings, and thick plumage, which, unlike that of the members 

 of the family already described, has but three of its feathers unusually prolonged ; these are slender, and 

 placed on the back of the head. In the adult bird, the crown, nape, upper part of the back, and 

 shoulders are greenish black, the rest of the mantle and sides of the throat dark grey ; the feathers on 



