and Dr. Pilcher. The Little Egret is common at 

 certain seasons throughout the south of Europe, and 

 breeds, occasionally in large numbers, in some of the 

 wooded swamps of Andalucia. I found it in great 

 abundance near Tunis in November and December ; it 

 was tolerably common throughout the year in Epirus 

 and Albania, and I have met with it in Sardinia, 

 Sicily, and Cyprus. 



In habits it is by far the most confiding and fearless 

 of man of any of the non-skulking Ardeida of my 

 acquaintance ; I have frequently approached on horse- 

 back or in a boat, without any sort of concealment, to 

 within a few yards of a party of these Egrets, who 

 took very little notice of us. It is probable, however, 

 that by this time the poor birds, or those that may be 

 left of them, have learned that feminine fashion has cast 

 its eye upon them for personal decoration, and that the 

 lust of gain by this cruel folly has rendered the animal 

 Man, as a rule, a very dangerous neighbour. 



This bird forms an artless nest of a few sticks and 

 broken reeds, placed in low trees or bushes in large 

 swamps or marshes ; many pairs generally nest in close 

 proximity, and very often in association with other 

 tree-loving Waders, such as the Night-Heron, Buff- 

 backed Egret, Spoonbill, and Glossy Ibis. The only 

 ugly things about this species are its spiteful temper 

 and its harsh croak ; the uproar made by a breeding 

 colony of these birds when disturbed and floating in 

 the air over their nurseries must be heard to be believed. 

 The Little Egret spends its days in fishing, frogging, 

 and insect-catching, with intervals for repose and 



