

GREAT HERON. 



(Ardea herodias, Lin. Arct. Zool. No, 341. Wilson, viii. p. 28. pi. 

 65. fig. 2. [adult.] Phil. Museum, No. 3629.) 



Sp. Charact. — Crested; bluish-ash; thighs purplish ferruginous: 

 middle toe much shorter than the tarsus. — Mult, with the crown 

 of the head bluish-black and white, with two long slender and ex- 

 serted black feathers ; the back presenting long tapering white 

 plumes. — In the young, no long feathers on the back, and with 

 the crown wholly dusky. 



The Great Heron of America, no where numerous, may 

 be considered as a constant inhabitant of the Atlantic States, 

 from New York to East Florida ; in the storms of winter 



