THE GREAT WHITE HERON. 
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widely from that of its more diminutive cousin, the Little 
Egret ([Egretta garzetta ), and still more so from that of the 
elegant little Squacco Heron (Bubulcus ibis), which latter 
are often found three and four together, perched on the 
backs of the buffaloes in Egypt, and in dozens on those 
of elephants in Central Africa, occupied in cleansing them 
from parasites, while at the same time serving as a 
beautiful decoration. The Great White Egret is, perhaps, 
the shyest of all our European Herons, and has good 
reason indeed to flee the presence of man. 
Even without its brilliant white plumage, the Great 
White Egret would be easily recognizable at a distance, 
for its carriage is nobler and prouder than that of the 
Common and Purple Herons, which very nearly equal it in 
size. Its slender form also serves to distinguish it from 
the others, while its flight appears much lighter, more 
rapid and lively than that of all other members of the 
family. It is passably sociable, especially during the 
breeding season, though it associates more with its own 
species than with other members of the genus. 
The food of this bird consists principally of fish, frogs, 
tadpoles, mice, small birds, and such like, possibly insects 
as well. It catches fish, as do all other Herons, by 
cautiously watching for them, and suddenly darting 
down, with its long neck and beak, upon the unwary 
prey, as soon as it comes within reach. When fishing it 
often creeps stealthily amongst the higher aquatic plants, 
because fish are most plentiful in such localities, though 
it always shows a preference for the more open spots in 
dense reed-beds; besides capturing fish and water- 
lizards, it occasionally seizes on small mammals and 
birds, all in the same manner, by darting its sharp beak 
like a javelin. During the day the bird is seen here and 
