ill whiter, and sjiend the day in wading about tlie marshes, colleet together regularly about sunset, and 
fly in a compact body to the jungles at the head of the lake, where they roost. They appeared to pursue 
exactly the same eourse every evening ; and I used always to eousider their appearance in a body a sign 
that it was time to take up my jiost for shooting Ducks, in a small marshy pool between the proper 
right of the Butrinto river and the rocks which shut in the valley to the north. The Egrets almost 
invariably flew over this pool from west to east, and generally preceded the first flight of Ducks hy about 
ten minutes.” 
The Rev. H. B. Tristram, in his “ Notes on the Ornithology of North Africa,” states that the Little 
White Egret is “ universally distributed in small numbers wherever a suitable locality exists, and frequents 
familiarly the gardens and ditches of the oases. It breeds in society on the lake Tetzara, and, doubtless, 
in more southern marshes also.” Mr. C. F. Tyrrwhit Drake remarks that a few may usually be seen in winter 
at Martine, in Eastern Morocco. 
Mr. J. H. Gurney says that the bird frequents the Bay of Natal, in South-eastern xMrica, hut is much 
more numerous about the swamps of the Transvaal; and Captain Sperling, R.N,, that it occurs at Mozambic 
and Zanzibar, and probably on the Intermediate coast of the Ethiopian Region of i\frica. 
“Not even Lac Halloula, in Algeria,” says Mr. Tristram, in his “ Notes on the Ornithology of Palestine,” 
“ can rival the marshes of Hideh (Meronl) as a paradise for Herons, with this advantage, that the 
breeding-places are wholly inacessible to man. That treacherous swamp, extending for seven miles, with 
its deadly malaria, affords a secure haven, under its waving tufts of papyrus, for any number of Heronries.” 
Among the many species of the Ardeidce there met with hy him, the Little Egret was common, but 
scattered, and not very sociable. 
Capt. Beavan includes it in the avifauna of the Andaman Islands, the truth of which is confirmed 
by Col. Tytler, who remarks, “ I have had this species alive and identified it.” 
According to Dr. Jerdon the Little Egret is very abundant in India ; and there it always nests and lays its 
four or five hlue-green eggs in trees — a statement confirmed by Capt. BeaA an. 
Mr. Swinhoe states “ it is common at Amoy all the year round, and builds in heronries in large 
banyan trees. It is also abundant at Hongkong, Macao, and Canton ; and in Formosa it is a very 
common resident species, associating (especially in summer) in large flocks, and breeding in company in 
bamboo and other plantations. I procured a fine male, in full plumage, on the 14th of March.” 
Dr. Schlegel informs us that the specimens killed in Japan are precisely like those from the other 
countries inhabited hy the bird. 
With regard to Australia, I have three or four specimens from that country, Avhlch appear to be quite 
identical Avith European examples ; and C. Coxen, Esq., of Brisbane, has sent me an excellent photograph 
of the bird in its finest state of plumage : it is a species not yet figured in my folio AAmrk on the birds of 
that country, though noticed at p. 305 of the Handbook. 
Meyer says ; — “ The localities usually resorted to hy the Little Egret are the SAvampy banks of rivers and 
lakes where the flags and reeds are of low groAvth, or the vicinity of Avoods and large trees (in which it 
roosts at night). Its flight is rather quicker than that of the larger species ; hut in Avlndy weather it is very 
helpless and is obliged to skim low over the bushes and reeds from one piece of water to another. But 
when the weather is fine, it may be seen, if startled hy intrusion of any kind, circling high up in the air, 
as if surveying the neighbourhood before it finally decides upon its course.” It is said that it may be partially 
domesticated if taken young, and that its habits and manners are then gentle and harmless : it is also stated 
that its ornamental plumes Avere formerly used to decorate the helmets of Avarriors, as they still are by the 
Persians and Turks. 
“ This little Heron,” says Bailly, in his ‘ Ornithologie de la SaA oie,’ “ is occasionally killed on the borders 
of the Rhone, the Iser, the lakes of Bourgct, and the Marches and their very marshy environs. It generally 
appears singly or in small companies of from tAA'o to five, rarely in greater numbers, at tAvo periods of the 
year — in April or the first half of May, Avhen it is clothed in its beautiful Avedding-garment, and again 
towards the end of July or the beginning of August, AAUth its autumn dress more or less complete. About 
the same time it appears on the lakes and marshes of SAvitzerland, but rarely A'isits the interior of that 
country. Being not A ery Avlld, it readily admits of approach, Avhether seeking its food among reeds and 
grasses, or perched on the trunk of a tree or on a stone. During its stay Avith us it feeds upon the spaAvn of 
frogs and fish, young frogs, fish, Avorms, leeches, and small reptiles. It nests in Sardinia and Sicily, selecting 
for that purpose damp and marshy places suited to the habits of Avading and aquatic birds, several couples 
breeding in company. The eggs are Iroin three to five in number, pointed at both ends, and of a Aery pale 
greenish blue, Avithout spots.” 
The Plate represents the bird a trifle less than the natural size, Avith reduced figures in the distance. 
