ARDEA. 167 
(i. p. 45), writes as follows :—“ That the young of this species is not always white, and 
the adult invariably plumbeous, as has generally been supposed, is conclusively proven 
by the series we have been enabled to examine; the true state of the case being that 
the white and blue plumages, usually supposed to represent the young and adult 
stages, are in reality ‘dichromatic’ phases. The case, although parallel in its nature 
to that of Dichromanassa rufa, differs in the circumstance that the white phase 
is seldom perfectly developed, while intermediate specimens are very much more 
numerous.” We have also before us many parti-coloured examples, in blue plumage, 
with an irregular admixture of white feathers. 
The Little Blue Heron is a summer visitor to the Gulf States of North America, 
breeding along the Atlantic States as far north as New Jersey, and being occasionally 
found in Massachusetts, sometimes wandering further inland. It breeds in numbers in 
Florida, and is resident in that State, though many individuals migrate. Although 
recorded from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico, as well as from inland 
waters, there is no record of its nesting in that country or in any other part of Central 
America, and it appears to be mostly a winter visitor. Richardson procured specimens 
in June at Tampico, but all other recorded occurrences have taken place between 
September and March, when it is often found abundantly. In Jamaica and Cuba it 
is resident, breeding in more or less abundance. 
This small Heron is slow and deliberate in its movements, but very active in 
catching its prey, which consists of crabs, small fishes, tadpoles, lizards, worms, and 
insects. 
The nest is a flat structure of sticks, with a little moss added ; it is built on the tops 
of cactus-bushes or in low shrubs; but, according to Dr. Brewer, in its more northern 
breeding-haunts taller trees are selected. The eggs are three or four in number, of a 
somewhat deeper greenish-blue than in most Herons. 
“6. Ardea rufa. 
LT? Aigrette rousse de la Louisiane, Daubent. Pl. Enl. viii. t. 902°. 
Ardea rufa, Bodd. Tabl. Pl. Enl. p, 54°; Salv. Ibis, 1889, p. 376°. 
Demiegretia rufa, Salv. Ibis, 1866, p. 196‘; Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 210°; Mem. Bost. 
Soc. N. H. i, p. 310°; Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 497; Sumichr, La Nat. v. p. 233°. 
Dichromanassa rufa, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvi. pp. 106°, 271°; Oates, Cat. Eggs Brit. 
Mus. i. p. 118”. 
Ardea pealeit, Bp. Ann, Lyc. N. Y. ii. p. 154”; Salv. Ibis, 1889, p. 376. 
Demiegretia pealei, Salvin, Ibis, 1866, p. 196; Sumichr, La Nat. v. p. 233"; Lawr. Bull. U.S. 
Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 49. 
Ardea rufescens, A. O, U. Check-l. N. Amer. Birds, 2nd ed. p. 72. 
Supra schistacea, plumis ornamentalibus elongatis margaritaceo-cinereis, apicem versus pallidioribus, brun- 
nescentibus ; remigibus et rectricibus schistaceis; pileo et collo undique vinaceo-cinnamomeis, vix lilaceo 
lavatis, pilei et preepectoris plumis elongatis, vix pallidioribus ; corpore reliquo subtus pallidiore schistaceo ; 
