216 HERODIONES. 



from Hakodadi (Swinhoe, Ibis, 1876, p. 335), and there are four 

 examples ia the Pryer collection from Yokohama. It also occurs in 

 Nagasaki (Blakiston and Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Japan, 1882, p. 118) 

 and the Loo-Choo Islands (Cassin, Exp. Am. Squad. China Seas 

 and Japan, ii. p. 244) . The examples obtained by Dr. Siebold were 

 doubtless procured at Nagasaki (Temminck and Scblegel, Pauna 

 Japonica, Aves, p. 114). 



The breeding-range of the Common Heron extends from the British 

 Islands, across Europe and Southern Siberia to Japan. It also breeds 

 in India. Chinese and Japanese examples do not appear to differ 

 from European ones, but Dybowski states that Siberian examples 

 have more developed nuptial plumes and redder feet (Taczanowski, 

 Journ. Orn. 1874, p. 333). 



202. ARSEA ALBA. 



(GEEAT WHITE EGRET.) 



Ardea alba, Linneus, Syat. Nat. i. p. 239 (1766). 



The Great White Egret has no nuptial plumes on the head or 

 breast, but in breeding-dress they are well developed on the scapulars. 

 The bill is black in summer and yellow in winter. It is the largest 

 of the Japanese White Egrets (wing from carpal joint 18 to 13^ 

 inches) . 



Pigures : Dresser, Birds of Europe, vi. pi. 398 (Western race) ; 

 Gray and Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. ii. pi. 49 (Eastern race, described 

 as Ardea modesta). 



Both races of the Great White Egret appear to visit Japan, the 

 Eastern race as a common summer visitor, the Western race as a more 

 or less accidental winter visitor. The two races only differ in size. 

 The length of the wing (from carpal joint) of the Western or typical 

 race, Ardea alba, varies from 18 to 15^ inches j that of the Eastern 

 race, Ardea alba modesta, from 15^ to 13^ inches. 



The Eastern race of the Great White Egret is a summer visitor to 

 all the Japanese Islands, arriving in Tokio Bay in April. It has been 

 seen on Eturop, the most southerly of the Kurile Islands (Blakiston 

 and Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Japan, 1882, p. 118) ; and there is an 

 example in the Swinhoe collection from Hakodadi (Swinhoe, Ibis, 

 1876, p. 335). There is an example in the Pryer collection from 

 Tokio ; and it has been collected by Mr. Ringer at Nagasaki. 



