218 HERODIONES. 



it from A. garzetta. Its length of wing from the carpal joint^ which 

 varies from 11^ to 12^ inches, distinguishes it from A. coromanda 

 and A. eulophotes, in which the wing varies from 9 to 10 inches ; and 

 from A. alba modesta or A. alba, in which the wing varies from 13^ 

 to 18 inches. The length of bill from the frontal feathers varies from 

 2| to 3g- inches, which is more than that of A. coromanda, and less 

 than that of A. alba modesta. The Plumed Egret is also remarkable 

 for its very long toes, the longest measuring more than 3 inches 

 without the claw. 



Figures : Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, pi. 69 

 (erroneously named Ardea egrettoides, which is a synonym of Ardea 

 alba) ; Gould, Birds of Australia, vi. pi. 57 (erroneously described 

 as a new species under the name oi Herodias plumiferus). 



The Plumed Egret is a summer visitor to all the Japanese Islands, 

 probably remaining to winter in the south. There are eight examples 

 in winter dress from Yokohama in the Pryer collection, and it has 

 been found in Nagasaki and Yezzo in summer dress (Blakiston and 

 Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Japan, 1882, p. 119). 



This Egret has a very wide range. It is said to be a resident 

 throughout the Ethiopian and Oriental Regions, and the Austro- 

 Malayan and Australian Subregions. 



The Plumed Egret is said to vary in the amount of black which 

 the bill acquires during the breeding-season. In the Swinhoe col- 

 lection is an example from Canton in full summer dress with the bill 

 yellow, except for about half an inch at the tip, which is dark brown. 

 An example from Yokohama has the terminal two thirds of the bill 

 brown, whilst those from India and Ceylon are described as black in 

 summer. It is possible that the eastern birds are subspecifically 

 distinct, and that they should bear the name of Ardea intermedia 

 plumifera. 



204. ARDEA GARZETTA. 



(LITTLE EGEET.) 



Ardea garzetta, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 237 (1766). 



The Little Egret has a black bill both summer and winter. The 

 length of wing from carpal joint varies fi'om 10 to 11 inches, which 

 is rather more than that of A. coromanda, and rather less than that 

 oi A. intermedia (neither of which ever has a black bill), and very 



