274 



is a specimen with four crest-feathers." In Hungary and in many localities along the Danube I 

 found the Night-Heron very generally distributed ; and near Belgrade, I was told, there are some 

 numerously frequented breeding-places. In the low portions of Wallachia and in Bulgaria it is 

 also far from uncommon, and breeds in suitable localities ; and Dr. Kruper states that it arrives 

 in Greece later than the Purple Heron and Egret, usually appearing in April ; but he is unaware 

 if it remains there to breed. 



In Southern Russia, as above stated, it is tolerably numerous ; and Mr. Goebel, in his Notes 

 on the Ornithology of the Uman District, remarks (J. f. O. 1871, p. 143), "There is a large 

 colony of this species on some high alder and oak trees growing on an island in the Sokolow 

 swamp. This island can be visited in a boat till the beginning of May ; later it is unapproachable, 

 which accounts for my not having yet been able to obtain a clutch of eggs. On smaller swamps 

 and ponds it is only seen during migration. I observed on a very small swamp a flock of at least 

 fifty individuals on the 27th of April 1867, thirty on the 5th of October 1868, and twelve on the 

 1st of October 1869." 



I find but little on record respecting the occurrence of the Night-Heron in Asia Minor ; but 

 Canon Tristram met with it in Palestine, where, he remarks, it resorted chiefly to the outskirts 

 of the swamps. In Africa it is found breeding as far south as the Cape colony. Captain Shelley 

 writes that it is " abundant throughout Egypt, usually in flocks, frequenting clumps of sont and 

 palm trees. They are not shy, and are often difficult to drive out of the thicker-foliaged trees. 

 When disturbed they rise awkwardly, a few at a time ; but when once fairly started they mount 

 high, and fly for a considerable distance." Von Heuglin speaks of the Night-Heron as being one 

 of the commonest species in North-east Africa, and he believes that it breeds there, though he 

 never found a breeding colony. In January, February, and March he saw vast flocks on the Blue 

 and White Nile, as also on the Lower Sobat, and in April on Lake Tana, in Abyssinia. In May 

 he met with individuals in full breeding-dress in Abyssinia. In Algeria it is tolerably common. 

 Mr. Salvin only observed it on the lake at Bizerta ; but it has been recorded from several other 

 localities ; and Canon Tristram met with it in the palm-forests of Tuggurt, but adds that it is 

 probably found throughout the whole of the Wed B/hir. Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake records it from 

 Tetuan ; and according to Favier (fide Colonel Irby) it is common near Tangier on passage. 

 Colonel Irby himself saw this species near Larache in April, and near Tetuan at the end of 

 March. It is stated by Vernon Harcourt to occur in Madeira ; but Mr. Godman does not include 

 it. On the west coast of Africa it has been obtained in Senegambia, Bissao, the Gaboon, Gold- 

 coast, and Benguela. Mr. Sharpe received a specimen from Fantee ; and Mr. Ussher observes 

 that it is common on the Winebah river, but he did not meet with it elsewhere. In the ' Birds 

 of Damara Land,' p. 293, Mr. Andersson writes: — "This species is pretty frequent in the lake- 

 country ; it occurs in Ondonga in the wet season, and is recorded as having been obtained on 

 the Orange river. In Damara Land I have only observed it very rarely, and always in irnrnature 

 plumage. It feeds on fish, reptiles, aquatic insects, slugs, &c." According to Mr. E. L. Layard 

 (B. S. Afr. p. 312) it is generally distributed throughout the Cape colony, but is nowhere 

 common. A young bird, still having remains of down in its plumage, was brought to him from 

 Zeekoe Vley, on the Simons-Bay road ; so it must certainly breed near there. It occurs, though 

 very seldom, in Natal; Mr. Ayres met with it in the Transvaal; and Dr. Kirk states (Ibis, 1864, 



