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marshes and chotts, where they were extremely wary. They are only winter visitants to the 

 Sahara. I was informed that they breed near Benzert, on the Tunisian coast, but did not see 

 them there." Colonel Irby saw this species once on the lakes of Ras-Doura, on the 26th of 

 April, but did not succeed in shooting it. Mr. Godman records its occurrence in the Azores ; 

 but Dr. Dohrn says that it has been incorrectly said to occur in the Cape-Verd Islands, as Ardea 

 garzetta is the only "White Heron found there. 



On the continent of Africa, however, it is found, subject only to variation in size, down to 

 the Cape colony. Mr. C. J. Andersson sent home a specimen, obtained either in Damara or 

 Ovampo Land, in breeding-dress ; and Mr. Layard writes (B. of S. Afr. p. 308) : — " A pair of 

 these most lovely Egrets, male and female, have been shot at different times in Zeekoe Vley, 

 between Cape-town and Simon's Bay. I have myself seen white Egrets wading about that piece 

 of water, and also on the marsh nearer to Kalk Bay, but always too far off to determine the 

 species. I have also seen white Egrets on the marsh below the Observatory, and on the rocks at 

 Bobben Island. They are, however, generally so wary as to be unapproachable. Mr. Atmore 

 tells me it is common at the Knysna, but very shy, and breeds on a small rock in the sea, east 

 of the Heads ; he was too late (December) for eggs." 



It has been recorded from the Lydenburg District, the Matabili country, and other parts of 

 South and South-east Africa ; but it is rather difficult to verify the various records of its occur- 

 rence, as another species, Ardea intermedia, is also found there. 



Subject only to variation in size, the Great White Heron is found in Asia as far east as 

 China, and southward down to Australia, and, in all probability, to New Zealand also ; but, 

 owing to the want of a sufficiently large series of specimens to examine, I am compelled, to a 

 large extent, to depend on the notes of the various collectors who have explored the different 

 countries. I give below a few particulars relative to the variation in size of examples from 

 different parts of the globe, from which it will be seen that, as a rule, Asiatic specimens run 

 smaller than our European bird ; but I cannot look on them as being specifically distinct. 



The present species is found on the Caspian ; Major St. John states that he saw it every 

 year on the Kara agatch river, west of Shiraz, where there is a colony of these birds ; and 

 Mr. Blanford met with it in Baluchistan, where, however, it is not common. Mr. S. Scully, 

 writing on the ornithology of Eastern Turkestan, says (Stray Feathers, iv. p. 196): — "In winter 

 this species was more common about Kashghar (where four birds were shot) and Yarkand than 

 Ardea cinerea. It was never seen in spring or summer, having then, it was reported, migrated 

 northwards, towards Aksu, to breed. It frequented marshy places and the banks of small 

 streams, feeding on fish. The Turki name for this species (which Mr. Hume informs me is the 

 large European form, and not the Lesser White Heron of India) is Ak Wear, ' White Heron.' " 

 Dr. Jerdon writes: — "The Large Egret is distributed throughout India to Ceylon, extending, if 

 Gould's syrmatophorus be rightly identified with this species, from Europe through most of Asia 

 and Africa to Australia. It is, of course, most abundant in the better-watered districts, but is 

 found everywhere feeding in rivers and tanks and roosting on trees. It breeds, in company, on 

 trees, often in, or close to some village, making the usual nest of sticks, and laying three or four 

 eggs of a bluish green colour. This species is said to make its nest in Europe among reeds ; but 

 this is quite opposed to the habits of all the Egrets." 



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