The Buff-Backed Heron. ^9 



as well as tlie young in immature plumage, are pure white, the former having 

 no dorsal train, and the latter no plumes at all. 



The Buff-backed Heron is found chiefly in the countries bordering the 

 Mediterranean ; it occurs in most parts of Africa, where such marshy localities as 

 it affects are to be found, and extends to east of the Persian Gulf. It builds its 

 nest among reeds, in large colonies, constructing it of sticks, and laying in it five 

 or six bluish-green eggs. It feeds on frogs, insects, ticks, and leeches. These 

 last items of its diet it seeks on the bodies of cattle, in the south of Europe, and 

 of the more tropical buffaloes, fresh from their mud baths. From this habit they 

 have earned the name of Cattle-Bgrets. One of us well remembers his first 

 introduction to this pretty genus on the margin of the lake of Ranau, in Sumatra, 

 and his delighted astonishment at observing the buffalo-herd, belonging to the 

 village in which he was camped, attended by quite a troop of these conspicuous 

 and gregarious birds, which allowed him to watch them, without concern, close at 

 hand. Some were stalking alongside the quadrupeds, every now and then grabbing 

 at a newly detected tick or leech ; others — often more than one — perched on their 

 backs, were being carried about, in the most unconcerned manner, as the grazing 

 buffaloes moved slowly from place to place. The cattle, no doubt, appreciated their 

 kind operations, for they never flicked them with their tails, and never showed 

 signs of annoyance or impatience at their proceedings. It was not unusual to see 

 the Egrets in company with the livelier Cattle- Starlings {Sturno pastor) searching 

 for the same food, now on the back, next perhaps on the belly, then on the head of the 

 bovine, and the next moment flying off to another individual, but rarely venturing 

 within reach of the Heron's beak. The Cattle-Herons often appear, as has been noted 

 by Mr. Abel Chapman, in Spain, fast asleep on the backs of the half-wild cattle, 

 " their heads snugly tucked under their back feathers, their long toes and strong 

 claws enabling them to sit thus securely." 



The Buff-backed Heron attends also, on wild herds, and follows elephant 

 troops in quest of these same specially favourite constituents of its food. Grass- 

 hoppers form, besides, a very large part of its diet. Buff-backed Herons will follow 

 the plough for worms and grubs just like Rooks in our own country. It is not 

 surprising, therefore, that they are held in affectionate regard, and rarely molested, in 

 those countries where they associate themselves so closely with, and place so much 

 confidence in, the husbandman and his herds. " Sir Gardner Wilkinson," as Dr. 

 Leith Adams remarks, " is disposed to consider that the Cattle-Egret was the 

 sacred bird named in Egypt the 'Tufted Benno,' an emblem of Osiris, and chosen in 

 consequence of its familiarity and predelection for cultivated districts, and feeding 

 on insects and worms turned up by the farmer. The bird is very plentiful along the 



