208 



A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



but Saunders admitted only one — Countess Weir, Exe (Devon), 

 June 3, 1870 — as thoroughly authentic. Others recorded from 

 Sussex, Northants. (two), and Yorks. may be genuine. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — South Europe, Africa, and southern and 

 central Asia generally. In Africa it appears to breed as well as 

 winter, most European Egrets being migrants. A straggler in 

 central and western Europe and Atlantic Isles. Replaced by closely- 

 allied race in Malayan Archipelago, and Moluccas to Australia. 



Genus ARDEOLA Boie. 



Ardeola Boie, Isis, 1822, i, p. 559 (Monotype : A. ralloides). 



Smaller birds than Ardea and Egretta, though E. garzetta not 

 very much larger, tarsus shorter, scutate in front. Wings entirely 

 or chiefly white, otherwise much white in plumage. 5 species, one 

 in at least 2 subspecies, southern Europe, Africa and Asia. 



ARDEOLA IBIS 



278. Ardeola ibis ibis (L.)— THE BUFF-BACKED HERON. 



Ardea Ibis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, i, p. 144 (1758 — Egypt). 

 Ardea bubulcus Audouin, Yarrell, iv, p. 187 : Saunders, p. 375. 



The Buft'-backed Heron (Ardeola i. ibis). Adult, summer. 



Description. — Adult male. Summer. — Whole plumage white, 

 except for long tufts on crown, lower -throat and centre of mantle 

 which are pinkish-buff to deep orange-buff (these feathers very long 

 with enormously elongated and separated rami, lying almost parallel 

 to shaft). This plumage is acquired by complete moult March- 

 May. Winter. — A full moult again takes place July-Nov. (some- 

 times Dec), after which bird is as in summer but feathers of crown 

 are paler and not so long, while those of lower -throat and centre of 

 mantle are mostly white with slight ereamy-buff tinge, slightly 

 elongated and separated at tips but quite unlike greatly elongated 

 feathers of summer. 



Adult female. Summer. — As adult male. Winter. — As adult 

 male winter but feathers of centre of mantle and lower -throat 

 shorter, white and almost normal in structure. 



Nestling. — (Not examined.) 



