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and it is found in Asia Minor, but whether numerously or otherwise I cannot say. Canon 

 Tristram met with it in flocks in Palestine, where, however, it was less common than the Buff- 

 backed Heron. In Africa it is very widely distributed; Von Heuglin says that there were few 

 places he visited in North Africa where he did not meet with it. It appears on the Nile early, 

 in July, August, and September, and is seen there, in Eastern Kordofan, on the White and Blue 

 Nile, and in Abyssinia ; but immature birds were chiefly met with. Adult birds were numerous 

 in Nubia in June and July ; he saw several flocks in September on the Danakil coast ; and 

 examples in full breeding-dress were seen early in April in Lower Egypt and the Fayoom, from 

 which it appears that it breeds there. Captain Shelley says (B. of Egypt, p. 269), "it is distri- 

 buted in small numbers throughout Egypt and Nubia, where it is a resident. I have shot it 

 on the banks of the river near Dendera in May, and saw it in flocks at Damietta and in the 

 Fayoom in February." Mr. Blanford met with it in Abyssinia, and shot a specimen at Antalo. 

 It is resident and generally distributed in Algeria. Mr. Salvin found it common in the marshes 

 of Zana, but singly, or two or three together, rather than in flocks like the Buff-backed Herons ; 

 and Canon Tristram s.ays that vast flocks resort to the lakes of Tuggurt, a portion only of which, 

 he was informed, remain there to breed. 



According to Favier {fide Colonel Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 186), "This species is nearly as 

 common around Tangier as Ardeola russata, occurring in small flocks during migration. Some 

 remain in the country to breed, nesting on the ground among sedges, laying in May and June 

 five eggs, which are more oval in shape than those of Ardea purpurea, but of the same colour ;" 

 and Colonel Irby himself found this Heron in great numbers about the swamps of Ras-Doura 

 towards the end of April, where they were by far the most common species of Ardeidoe. 



Dr. Bolle says that he saw examples of this Heron in the Leon collection, which had been 

 obtained in the Canaries ; and on the continent of Africa the Squacco Heron has been met with 

 as far as Natal and the Transvaal. Dr. Anton Reichenow. found it breeding at the Gold Coast ; 

 and Andersson (B. of Damara L. p. 288) says that this Heron is " found in Damara and Great 

 Namaqua Land throughout the year, but is more numerous in those countries during the rainy 

 season than at other times. It is very abundant in the Lake-regions, and on the rivers Botletle, 

 Teoughe, and Okavango. It feeds on insects, frogs, &c." It has been obtained in Natal and 

 the Transvaal, being rare in the former colony ; but, according to Ayres, it is numerous in the 

 neighbourhood of Potchefstroom, in the Transvaal. Mr. T. E. Buckley shot it in the Matabili 

 country ; and Dr. Kirk met with it commonly on the Zambesi. Mr. E. Newton procured it in 

 Madagascar ; Dickerson records it from Joanna ; and Dr. Kirk says that it was common in the 

 marshes on the sea-coast near Pomone. 



The Squacco Heron does not penetrate far into Asia. As above stated, it is found on the 

 shores of the Caspian ; and Mr. Blanford believes that it occurs in Persia, though he has no 

 evidence of its presence there. 



In habits the Squacco Heron is said to differ a good deal from its congeners. Though in 

 general appearance it reminds one not a little of the Bitterns, it really has in its habits more 

 affinity with the Egrets. When resting it holds its body erect, the neck drawn in so that it 

 looks quite short ; but directly its suspicions are aroused it erects its head, and will generally 

 seek refuge in flight. Unless subjected to persecution, however, it is by no means a shy bird, 



