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GRALLATORES. 



FAMILY II. 



Ardeid.e. TJce Herons. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less long, and generally compressed on the sides, 

 with the eulmen curved at the tip, which is sometimes emarginated and 

 acute ; the wings moderate and rounded ; the tail mostly short and rounded 

 on the sides ; the tarsi lengthened and rather slender ; the toes more or less 

 long and rather slender, with the outer toe longer than the inner, and both 

 united at their bases, the hind toe more or less short, and generally placed 

 on the same level with the anterior toes. 



The members of this family inhabit most parts 

 of the worlds making regular migrations according 

 to the change of seasons and the scarcity of food. 

 They are usually seen standing solitary in swamps, 

 shallow rivers, or pools of water_, with their necks 

 drawn down between the shoulders, quietly waiting 

 the approach of a fish, which they no sooner observe 

 than they suddenly dart their bill upon it and swal- 

 low it in an instant. They also feed upon smal. 

 quadrupeds, frogs, and various kinds of insects ; and 

 some species have been observed perched on the 

 backs of cattle, and feeding on the larvge of insects 

 that infest their hide. The nest is usually built on 

 the loftiest trees, and on elevated buildings, or 

 among the tall reeds on the borders of lakes and 

 rivers, and is formed of sticks lined with small 

 twigs loosely put together, which causes it to be 

 large and flat. The eggs are usually four or five in 

 number. 



Belonging to this family are the Trumpeters, the 

 Cranes, the Herons proper, the Storks, and the 

 Ibises. 



