HERONS. 39 



having been observed in Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida. 

 It also probably breeds in the interior of the continent, 

 as Major Long saw it in the Illinois country, on the 15th 

 of July. As early as the 7th of February, Kalm observed 

 them passing over New Jersey and Pennsylvania, on their 

 way either to the north or west, but as the Atlantic coast 

 has become more settled and populous, these shy birds have, 

 for the most part, altered their route, and now proceed more 

 within the wilder interior of the continent. In May, they 

 are seen about Hudson's Bay, and like the Whooping Crane, 

 which they resemble in manners, they nest on the ground, 

 laying two eggs, of an oil green, irregularly, and rather 

 thickly spotted with yellowish brown and umber, the spots 

 confluent and dark on the greater end. The flesh is ac- 

 counted good food, resembling that of the Swan (Cygnus 

 buccinator) in flavor. 



This species is about 48 inches long, of which the bill, measured 

 from above, is 4^ inches ; the bill, however, varies in size. The 

 general color yellowish grey ; the dorsal plumage glossed with fer- 

 ruginous. Neck above, ash colored; checks and throat brownish 

 white. Primaries blackish brown; their shafts white. All the 

 upper surface of the head, before and between the eyes, and the lores, 

 covered with a red skin, pretty thickly clothed with black hairs. 

 Bill blackish brown. 



GREAT WHITE CRANE. 

 {Grus * Audubon, MSS.) 



Of this interesting species, found by Audubon in the vast swamps 

 of East Florida, we yet know no particulars, excepting the specific 

 character of its being wholly white, and scarcely inferior in magni- 

 tude to the Whooping Crane, whose general habits it in all proba- 

 bility possesses. Since its discovery, we have, I believe, heard of a 

 specimen having been obtained in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C. 



