160 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 
bustling for three months of the year, yet they 
remain in this old-time haunt undisturbed by all 
the changes that have taken place in this ancient 
town. Twenty-seven years ago I saw them there, 
but I have met people who declare there never 
was a time known when Night Herons did not: 
frequent this spot. There is a certain seat on 
the front where one enters the hotel grounds, 
that is under some Lebekh trees these Herons 
love, and I was early in the season horrified to 
hear that the order had gone out to shoot all 
those that were there, as they sometimes soiled 
the monstrous hats that the ladies were wearing. 
I appealed in vain to the management—« They 
had had so many complaints,” etc.—it must be, 
and was. I never dared ask how many were 
shot; and I really do not see why the ladies could 
not take their hats off, or else put up parasols. 
Anyhow, just because of women’s hats, an historic 
colony of these interesting birds in a very re- 
markable situation has been in danger of being 
driven away. This Heron is not nearly so big 
as our own familiar bird, and is rather squat and 
dumpy in shape, but he is a fascinating, rather 
weird-looking creature. Occasionally, one or two 
stray as far as Great Britain; but here in Egypt it 
