THE HERONS.* 







IHE SrOI'OLACKOL S IIJ:K0N.T 



The herons are to be found in all quarters of the globe, but they seldom occur in very 

 cold regious. The bill of these birds is ranch longer than the head, as large as it is high, 

 or larger at the base ; the upper mandible is nearly straight. A great portion of the 

 tibia is naked. 



HEAD OF .\RDEA NYCIOEAX.— Ll.VN. 



FOOT OF ARDEA NYCTORAX. 



The Common Heron, whether male or female, after the third }'ear, has long loose black 

 feathers on the back of the head ; similar plumes of a lustrous white depend from the 

 lower part of the neck ; the equally elongated and subulate scaj^ulars are of a silvery 

 ash. The forehead, neck, middle of the belly, and border of the wings and thighs, are of 



Ardea. 



t Ardea Hclias. — Linn. 



2 K 



