237 



four in number, though I have one clutch of five, are pale greenish blue in colour. Specimens 

 in my collection, from Hungary, vary in size from 2-^f by Iff to 2ff by Iff inches. 



Although, as a rule, the present species does not breed in Germany, yet there is undoubted 

 evidence to show that it has nested in Lower Silesia (Nieder-Schlesien) ; for Alexander von 

 Homeyer has published (J. f. O. 1863, pp. 440 -447) some interesting notes respecting a pair of 

 these Herons which nested in a large forest about a German mile north-east of Glogau in 1863. 

 In this forest there is a heronry of about 150 nests of Ardea cinerea, on old fir trees 70 to 

 80 feet high ; and close to the edge of this heronry a pair of Ardea alba nested also on a fir tree 

 within about eight paces from the nearest Heron's nest. The nest was slightly built, and could 

 almost be seen through, and was placed on one of the medium-sized trees. He visited the 

 heronry at various times between the 31st May and 28th June, on which latter day he found 

 that the young, three in number, were hatched, and were then probably several days old. Their 

 cry he compares to the syllables kekkekkek, kekkekkek, like that of the young common Heron, 

 but clearer, and not so harsh in tone. On the 22nd July the largest of the young birds had left 

 the nest and flown to the nearest adjacent tree, and as Von Homeyer had to leave the neigh- 

 bourhood, he had it shot and stuffed, and sent it to the Berlin Museum ; and subsequently both 

 the remaining young birds and one of the old ones were shot, although the forester and others 

 promised to protect them. The remaining parent bird left that part of the country early in 

 August, probably disgusted at the treatment its family and mate had met with. 



So far as I can judge from the series of specimens I have examined, and from the various 

 information I have collected together, there are only three good species of the larger White 

 Herons which lack the nuchal crest, viz. Ardea alba, Ardea egretta, and Ardea intermedia ; and 

 in this view I agree with Mr. Hume, who has written some excellent notes on the White Herons 

 of India (Stray Feathers, vi. pp. 472-480), except that he subdivides Ardea alba into two species, 

 and grants the smaller form specific rank under the name of Herodias torra, Buch. Hamilton. 

 This form differs only in size, and, like the larger European bird, has the bill black in summer 

 and yellow in winter ; but, according to Mr. Hume, the tarsus is darker than in specimens from 

 Europe, though I think that little stress can be put on this circumstance. 



It appears that examples of Ardea alba from various localities differ in size as follows : — 



Lower Volga and Albania: gape 6-0-64, wing 16- 1-16-3, tail 64-6"5, tarsus 7'0-7-2, bare tibia 4-0-4-2. 



Caspian Sea: gape 5 - 85, wing 16-2, tail 6 4, tarsus 68, bare tibia 3-5. 



Syria : gape 6 - 0, wing 160, tail 6'5, tarsus 7 - 0, bare tibia 4 - 0. 



Pagani river, Africa : culmen 4'4, wing 13'8, tarsus 5 - 7, bare tibia 3 - 5. 



India (fide Hume, 1. c.) : bill 3-72-4-6, wing 13-2-15-2, tail 5"6-6-7, tarsus 5-7-7-0, bare tibia 3-35-4-8. 



Andamans and Tenasserim (fide Hume) : bill 4-0-445, wing 133-150, tail 54-6'2, tarsus 5 - 6-6 - 3, 



bare tibia 345-4 - 3. 

 China : culmen 3-9-4-5, wing 13-8-15-0, tail 5-6-64, tarsus 5'5-6-8, bare tibia 34-4-5. 

 Australia (fide Hume) : bill 4"3, wing 13'0, tail 5'0, tarsus 5 - 3, bare tibia 3 - 62. 



Whether the New-Zealand bird should be separated from Ardea alba or not I cannot, as 

 above stated, venture to decide ; but certainly it differs in size from Ardea egretta, though it is 

 said to have the bill yellow at all seasons of the year, like that species. Buller gives the 

 dimensions as follows — bill 5-0, wing 17 - 0, tail 7 - 0, tarsus 6 - 25, bare tibia 4-0 ; and Mr. A. O. 



