212 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
to go far. They were always perched on the upper part of 
the reeds; one, which was in the middle of a bush, when it 
saw me, commenced with deliberate steps and beak pointed 
upwards to ascend a slanting branch, with the object I 
suppose of getting to aclear place to fly away. This un- 
healthy morass is on the south edge of the lake, about 
opposite Abouquisse. 
I should add that the species is found at Damietta, as 
Mr. Hughes purchased a good spécimen which had been 
obtained there.* 
176. BITTERN, Botaurus stellaris (Linn.); “Uak.” 
One, Damietta, January. The eye turns downwards in 
its socket in this species. 
177. NIGHT HERON, Wycticorax griseus (Linn.) ; (23, Alcedo 
egyptia, Hasselquist) ; “Uak sagar.” 
I presume the Night Heron is resident, though I cannot 
say I saw any during the latter part of my tour. In the 
Delta we sometimes saw them singly, but generally in small 
flocks, upon the tops of trees; never on the banks with the 
Common Herons. On January 17th we saw about thirty— 
the largest flock we saw in Egypt—at Shibrue. There were 
several adult birds, but for the most part we saw immature 
ones in the Delta; whereas in Upper Egypt I believe we 
never met any except adults—single birds hiding themselves 
during the day in the umbrageous tops of the palms, which 
= J have heard of several Little Bitterns being kept in confinement. 
A hard fate befel one of ours: it stuck its beak too far through the 
bars of its cage, and a malevolent Peacock wrenched off the upper man- 
dible. The same spiteful trick was played by a Parrot on one of its 
smaller brethren. 
