236 



It is recorded from Ceylon by Mr. Holdsworth and Captain Legge ; and it has been said to 

 have occurred in the Andaman Islands ; but the late Lord Tweeddale includes only Ardea inter- 

 media among the birds found there. It appears, however, to occur in Burmah and the Tenasserim 

 provinces, and is common in China, in the southern provinces of which, Mr. Swinhoe says, it is a 

 resident, breeding in the northern portions of the empire. It probably occurs in South-east 

 Siberia; for Schrenck saw a feather of an Egret which was shot near the NicholaiefFsk Post, 

 and which he believes to have been Ardea alia ; but he never heard any thing further respecting 

 its occurrence there ; while Dr. Eadde says that it occurs in the Central Argunj valleys, where he 

 observed it at Kailassutui in June 1856, and in April on the Lower Udir river. He does not, 

 however, appear to have obtained a specimen. How far the present species occurs in the Malay 

 archipelago I cannot with certainty state ; for Ardea intermedia appears to be the species usually 

 met with there ; but Ardea alba appears to be found in Australia. 



Mr. Gould (I. c.) described the Australian bird as distinct; but Blyth (Ibis, 1865, p. 36) 

 says that it does not differ from true Ardea alba ; and in this view Mr. Gould subsequently 

 concurred. He states that it is sparingly dispersed over the Australian continent. He met with 

 it near the mouth of the Hunter, but more frequently on the banks of the Clarence and other 

 rivers less frequented by civilized man. He also observed it in Tasmania, in the vicinity of 

 George's Biver and other unfrequented streams to the northward of the island. As regards the 

 species found in New Zealand I am in considerable doubt. Dr. Finsch (J. f. O. 1872, p. 171) 

 says that the New-Zealand bird cannot be distinguished from the American Ardea egretta ; but 

 the measurements given by Buller differ widely from those of the American bird, and agree much 

 more closely with those of European examples of Ardea alba ; but he distinctly states that the 

 New-Zealand bird never has the bill black in the summer, but yellow at all seasons of the year. 



In general habits the present species resembles the common Heron ; but it is slighter and 

 more elegant in appearance, and may at once be distinguished by its pure white colour. Like 

 the common Heron, it is generally to be found in marshy places or on the edge of streams, 

 waiting for small fish, often standing in water that reaches up to the tibia. It usually stands 

 more erect than the common Heron, and looks more slender; and when on the wing it also 

 appears longer ; for its legs stretch out further behind it than do those of that species, and its 

 Avings appear longer and more slender ; but otherwise its flight closely resembles the flight of 

 that bird, though it is rather stronger and quicker on the wing. It is companionable, especially 

 during the breeding-season, not only towards others of its own species but also towards other 

 Herons. It is said to become very tame when kept in confinement, and will consort with 

 domestic poultry. Its call-note is said to be a harsh deep rar, uttered now and again, though not 

 often. Its food consists chiefly of small fish, but also of frogs, aquatic insects, worms, mice, and 

 possibly also of young birds. It usually fishes during the daytime, and not, so far as I can 

 ascertain, by night, and resorts to both running and still water in search of prey. 



It nests on islands and in large morasses, its nest being placed on trees, and not, as a rule, 

 like the Lesser Egret's, on the ground amongst the reeds, though it is occasionally said to breed 

 amongst the dense reed-thickets in the large morasses of the Banat. 



Its nest is placed on one of the strong branches of a tree, and is constructed of dry twigs, 

 dry reeds and flags, and is lined with finer leaves of aquatic plants ; and the eggs, usually three or 



