and the Ionian Islands, where, although not very 

 abundant, it was always to be met with during the two 

 winters that I passed in those regions. 



This species appeared to be very much less wary than 

 the Common Heron ; but although I more than once 

 obtained specimens by a cautious approach, I never 

 found that the Great White Heron partook in any 

 degree of the skulking habits of the Purple Heron and 

 some other members of the family. In general habits 

 this bird resembles the Common Heron, frequenting 

 the open marslies and the margins of rivers and lakes in 

 quest of food during the day and roosting in high trees. 

 As I have never had the good fortune to see this species 

 at its breeding-places, I leave the description of its 

 nesting-habits and eggs to other authors. Adult birds 

 are said to have black beaks during the breeding-season ; 

 but all those that I handled in the winter had those 

 instruments of the pale yellow depicted in the Plate, 

 nor have any of my birds in captivity ever acquired 

 black beaks, although several have passed two or three 

 years in my possession. In captivity the Great White 

 Heron, although a summer migrant to Europe, supports 

 our usual winter weather very fairly well without any 

 artificial protection from cold ; in temper these birds 

 resemble other Herons, and are spiteful and unfriendly 

 inter se as well as with other species. I never noticed 

 that this Heron erects the dorsal plumes to any extent, 

 as is the common habit of the Little Egret when in any 

 way excited. 



Here it would seem appropriate to notice the wanton 

 destruction of this and many kindred species that has 



