Pi AT Ei Orin, 
Dwarf Heron, Barbot 29. 
L’Aigrette, Buff. Oif. 7. p. 372. t. 20.—Pl. el. gor. 
Kleiner Weiffer Rager. Kram. 345. 

Amongft the number of curious and elegant fpecies that have been 
extirpated in this country, the Englifh Naturalift will moft regret the 
lofs of this bird. It was formerly very common, and its flefh much 
admired. It formed a part of many of the old Englith feafts ; and, 
amongtt others, that recorded by Leland, which was given by George 
Nevell, archbifhop of York, in the reign of Edward the Fourth, 
alone included ‘* one thoufand Egrittes.” At this time it is confi- 
dered fuch a rarity, that Mr. Pennant obferves, in his Appendix to 
the Britifh Zoology, ‘* We once received out of Anglefea the feathers 
of a bird fhot there, which we fufpect to be the Egret ; this is the 
onlyeinftance, perhaps, of its being found in our country.” The 
fame author adds, in another part, ‘‘ We have never met with this 
bird, or the Crane, in England, but formed our defcriptions from 
{pecimens in the elegant cabinet of Dr. Mauduit, in Paris.” 
In fome foreign countries it is ftill very common: is found in 
feveral parts of Europe:and Afia: it is alfo faid to be found in 
Africa, and on the American continent. 
The weight of this bird is one pound, the length about eleven 
inches ; the appendage of loofe feathers, which is fituated on the 
back, and hang over the rump, were anciently ufed to decorate 
caps, or head pieces ; and hence the ornament to a cap, in later 
times, was called an aigrette. 
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