GREAT WHITE HERON. 133 



GRALLATORES. ARDEIDJE. 



PLATE CLXII 



GREAT WHITE HERON. 



ARDEA ALBA. 



The Great White Heron is an occasional visitant in 

 Great Britian, by no means a frequent one, but more so 

 than has for some time been allowed. Its natural habitat is 

 Asia and the eastern parts of Europe : in Turkey, Greece, 

 and the Grecian islands the bird is well known, from whence 

 it travels as far as Hungary during its periodical migrations, 

 arriving in April, and remaining till September. The mi- 

 gratory journeys are performed in the daytime, at a great 

 elevation, by two to four birds in number. 



The locality chosen by the Great White Heron is the 

 same as that of the common heron of our country, namely 

 borders of rivers, small lakes and ponds, as well as mo- 

 rasses, and during the spring of the year the vicinity of 

 lofty trees, being frequently seen to perch on the top 

 branches in order to rest itself. 



The Great White Heron prefers still, clear water with 

 a muddy bottom, to rapid streams and a sandy bottom ; 

 and in such situations it may be seen to wade stealthily in 

 search of food. 



The general appearance of the Great White Heron is 

 very beautiful, owing to its brilliant white plumage, parti- 

 cularly when contrasted against a dark sky, or the rich 



