L IT T L E E G R E T .
Ardea garzetta, Linn.
LITTLE EGEET.
ARDEA GARZETTA, Linn.
Ardea garzetta, Linn. S. N. i. p. 237 (1766) ; Yarr. ed. 4, iv.
p. 182 ; Dresser, vi. p. 239.
Ardetta garzetta, Naum. ix. p. 101, xiii. p. 257.
Egretta garzetta, Macg. iv. p. 471.
Héron garzetta, French ; Seiden-Reiher, German ; Garza
blanca, Spanish.
This very beautiful bird is a rare straggler to our
country. Mr. H. Saunders states that as far as he
could learn there is only one recorded occurrence
about which there can be no doubt,—an adult killed at
Countess Weir, on the Exe, on June 3, 1870, and
examined by the late Mr. J. Gatcombe. 1 may mention
that I have been credibly assured that a pair of this
species, now in the collection of Dr. Pilcher at
Boston, Lines., were killed more than thirty years ago
by the late Holeywell, gunmaker of Peterborough, at
Whittlesea ; given to him by Mr. John Evans, the well-
known taxidermist of Bourn, and sent set up by him
to Mr. |.. Pilcher. This occurrence was first mentioned
to me by my friend Colonel C. J. Strong, and confirmed
by letters in reply to my inquiries from Mr. John Evans