206 



A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



water. Eggs. — Usually 4, sometimes 3 only (while 5 are said to 

 occur), paler blue than those of Purple or Grey Heron, larger and 

 often pointed in shape. Average of 80 eggs 60.3x42.4. Max. : 

 68.4x44.7 and 61x45.6. Min. : 53.9x42.5 and 61.3x40 mm. 

 Br ceding -season. — Occasionally as early as beginning of April but 

 generally during last fortnight of month. Incubation. — Share of 

 sexes and period not accurately known. Probably single-brooded, 

 but incubated clutches have been found late in June. 



Food. — Mainly small fish, frogs and tadpoles. Also fresh-water 

 mollusca, worms, small mammals (mice, etc.), young birds and 

 insects, especially coleoptera, orthoptera. 



Distribution. — Great Britain. — Very rare vagrant. About seven 

 authentic — three Yorks., one Cambs., one Notts., one East Lothian, 

 one Perths. (cf. Saunders, p. 371, and Brit. B., 1, p. 347). 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Breeds (formerly in great numbers) in 

 parts of south-east Europe, in plains of Danube and north to south 

 Russia, at least once (1863) in Silesia. Seems also to breed east- 

 wards as far as east Asia. Northern birds are migrants. Casual 

 Canaries. Replaced by allied subspecies in tropical Asia to Australia, 

 tropical Africa, New Zealand and America. 



EGRETTA GARZETTA 



277. Egretta garzetta garzetta (L.)— THE LITTLE EGRET. 



Ardea Garzetta Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xn, i, p. 237 (1766—" Habitat 

 in Oriente." Ex Brisson, who says " juxta maris littora versatur " !) 

 Ardea garzetta Linnaeus, Yarrell, iv, p. 182 ; Saunders, p. 373. 



Description. - 



The Little Egret (Egretta _ 

 zetta). Tip of a scapular plume, 

 adult, summer. 



Adult male and female. Summer. — Whole plumage 

 white. Two very long crest-feathers (when 

 fully grown 140-160 mm.), very narrow and 

 pointed, of very close structure, rami being 

 long and lying close to shaft ; on upper- 

 breast a number of similar feathers but their 

 basal portions with the rami separated and 

 spread not close to shaft ; upper scapulars 

 and in middle of mantle between scapulars 

 large tuft of very long feathers (about 200 

 mm.) with very long, loose rami placed 

 widely apart and drooping from shaft (the 

 " egret " or " osprey " plumes of milliners). 

 This plumage is acquired by a complete 

 moult from Jan. to April. Winter. — A 

 complete moult takes place June to Nov. 

 (occasionally May and Dec . ) . New plumage 

 like summer but without long crest plumes 

 and with fewer and rather shorter loose. 

 gar- drooping plumes on scapulars and mantle. 

 Nestling. — (Not examined.) 



