83 

 White Herons. 



Though not forming a recognized systematic division of the Herons 

 there are several species showing pure white plumages, that are distinct 

 enough to warrant discussion. 



In some of these species, the Egrets, white is the adult plumage, in 

 others it is a dichromatic form; that is the species occurs in two colour 

 phases, either of which is normal, and cannot be referred to either albinism 

 or melanism or to sex, age, or season. In still other species the white is 

 a plumage of juvenility or old age and is regularly assumed at the proper 

 time. These white plumages were a source of considerable confusion in 

 identifying species until they were fully worked out. All of the White 

 Herons are of southern distribution and are rare in Canada. 



196. American Egret, fr. — l'egrette blanche d'amerique. Herodias egretta. 

 L, 41. Almost as large as the Great Blue Heron, but always pure white. In breeding 

 season cascade of some fifty fine straight plumes originates in middle back region and 

 festoons over lower back and tail. 



Distinctions. Size, colour, and obviously heron-hke outline. 



Field Marks. As above. 



Nesting. In communities, in nests of sticks in trees or bushes over water. 



Distribution. The southern and Gulf states, appearing in Canada only as an accidental 

 straggler. 



The American Egret, with the Snowy Heron and some other species of 

 like character, constitute the source of the well known "aigrette" or 

 ''osprey "plumes of the milUnery trade. As these plumes are grown only in 

 the breeding season and as the immediate neighbourhood of the breeding 

 rookeries is the only place where these wary birds can be easily approached 

 it is evident that the harvesting of the beautiful crop is accompanied by 

 great cruelty. The defence is often made that the plumes are picked up 

 after being shed by the parent bird. This is a doubtful plea, for if any one 

 will search domestic poultry yards for good shed feathers he will quickly 

 realize that recovered "aigrette" plumes will probably be few in number 

 and of poor quality. The plea is more doubtful as the rookeries are situated 

 in dense subtropical swamps where all below is mud and water and the 

 undergrowth prevents close, systematic search. The plume hunter usually 

 hides in the rookery and with a small cahbre rifle shoots the birds one by one 

 until the flock is exterminated. The plumes are torn from the bodies 

 which are left to rot on the ground. The remaining young starve in the 

 nests above. Local laws have been passed against killing the birds but 

 without avail. A few years ago the waters of Florida and the Gulf states 

 were made beautiful with the forms of these immaculate birds; to-day 

 they have almost lost one of their greatest attractions as the birds are 

 approaching extinction. As a last resort, a federal law has been passed in 

 the United States prohibiting the importation of feathers for millinery 

 purposes. A similar law has been passed in Great Britain and the colonies. 

 Egrets are not the only species that have seriously suffered : tern and other 

 sea birds, Birds of Paradise, and many insectivorous forms have been 

 victims. 



200. Little Blue Heron, fr. — le petit heron bleu. Florida ccerulea. L, 22. 

 A beautiful and gracefully built small Heron. Adult has head and neck maroon-chestnut, 

 remainder of body dark bluish-slate colour. Fine-pointed plumes over shoulders and on 

 front of lower neck. Juvenile is almost pure white more or less washed with slate colour. 



