Part 32

A scarce species in Southern Europe, but breeding in the marismas of Spain. It is often found perched on the backs of cattle. Only known in England from one example shot in 1805. Plumage white, except the crown, nape, and back, which are saffron yellow. Length 20 in.; wing 9·5 in.

THE SQUACCO HERON Ardea ralloides, Scopoli

The Squacco Heron breeds in suitable localities throughout Central and Southern Europe, and has visited this country on a good many occasions, generally during the spring immigration. Head, neck, and back pale buff, the crown and nape streaked with dark lines. Sides and front of the neck buff; under parts white. Length 20 in.; wing 9 in.

THE NIGHT HERON Nycticorax griseus (Linnæus)

This species has frequently occurred on our south and east coasts at irregular intervals, and on one occasion eight adult birds were destroyed during the breeding season, when they might possibly have nested. It breeds chiefly in Southern and South-eastern Europe, but a few pairs still nest in Holland and Northern Germany.

The crown, nape, and back of the adult are greenish black; the neck, tail, and wing coverts drab; the under parts greyish white. Length 23 in.; wing 12 in.

THE LITTLE BITTERN Ardetta minuta (Linnæus)

This species is abundant in summer throughout Central and Southern Europe, migrating to Africa for the winter months. To Northern Europe it is only a scarce straggler, but in the United Kingdom it has been obtained fairly frequently, especially in our eastern and southern counties, and there is little doubt that it has on more than one occasion stayed to breed. It inhabits thick reed-beds, and when disturbed either creeps away with great speed through the vegetation or remains motionless with head erect, in which position it closely resembles the reeds.

The male has the crown, nape, back, quills, and tail greenish black, the rest of the plumage buff, paler on the wing coverts. The female has the crown, nape, and back brown, and the under parts buff, streaked with brown. The young resemble the female. Length 13 in.; wing 6 in.

THE COMMON BITTERN Botaurus stellaris (Linnæus)

Owing to drainage and cultivation, the Bittern, which used formerly to breed in various swamps and reed-beds, especially in our eastern counties, is now only known as a migrant. It still occurs yearly on our shores, and if unmolested it is probable that it would once more nest with us.

The nest is a heap of reeds placed on the marsh in the thickest part of a reed-bed. The eggs are usually four in number and of a uniform brownish olive colour. In the breeding season it utters a loud "booming" noise, but at other times it is a very silent bird.

The adult is buff, irregularly barred and streaked all over with black, except on the head, which is pure black. Sexes and young are alike in plumage. Length 28 in.; wing 13 in.

THE AMERICAN BITTERN Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu)

This bird was, curiously enough, first described from a specimen killed in Dorset. It is a purely American species but a good many examples have been taken in all parts of the United Kingdom. It may be distinguished from the preceding species by its smaller size, darker coloration, and uniformly brown primaries. Length 24 in.; wing 11 in.

THE WHITE STORK Ciconia alba, Bechstein

It is curious that a bird so common and well protected on the Continent should not be of more general occurrence in these islands. It can only be considered a rare straggler, most of the examples having been seen in spring.

The whole plumage is white, except the quills, which are black. Legs and bill crimson. Length 40 in.; wing 23 in.

THE BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra (Linnæus)

Some fourteen examples in all of this fine bird have been procured in England. It breeds in Sweden, Denmark and East Germany and thence eastwards in Central and Southern Russia. Like the White Stork, it is a migrant, wintering in Africa.

The whole of the plumage is black, with metallic reflections, except the lower breast and vent, which are white. Length 38 in.; wing 21 in.

THE GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus (Linnæus)

In the southern and eastern parts of England this species used to be well known as an autumn migrant, but of late years it has become decidedly scarcer. It breeds commonly in the marismas of Spain and the marshes of the Danube.

The head, neck, and under parts are a deep coppery brown; back, wings, and tail glossy brownish black. The bill is long and shaped like that of a Curlew. The sexes and young are alike in plumage. Length 22 in.; wing 10·75 in.

THE SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia, Linnæus

This species used formerly to breed in several localities in England, but these have long been deserted. It, however, still occurs on migration, and a few annually visit the Norfolk Broads in spring, where, as they are now strictly protected, it is to be hoped that they may once again be induced to nest. It still nests in Holland, but in other districts where it used to occur it seems to have died out as a breeding species, and is now restricted to more southern localities, such as the south of Spain, the Danube, and the Black Sea.

The whole of the plumage is white; gular pouch orange; bill black, with yellow tip; legs black. The sexes are alike in plumage. The young may be distinguished by the black ends to the quill feathers and the flesh-coloured bill. The adult plumage is not fully assumed till in the second or third year. Length 36 in.; bill 8·5 in.; wing 14·5 in.

THE FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus, Pallas