122 HISTORY OF THE 



Tibiae bare for about iialf their length, or for about tlie leugth of the middle toe 

 Anterior scutellpe of tarsus large, distinct and nearly quadrate. Nuptial plumes, 

 confined to the anterior part of the back, whence spring numerous long, straight 

 and thick shafts, reaching, when fully developed, to considerably beyond the 

 end of the tail; each stem having along each side very long, slender and distant 

 fibrilhie. Tail even, of twelve broad feathers. Lower nape well feathered. 

 Plumage entirely pure white at all stages and seasons." 



Ardea egretta Gmei.. 



AMERICAN EGRET. 

 PLATE IX. 



Summer visitant; not uncommon. Arrive from the south 

 in July and August; return in September. 



B. 486, 486a. K. 489. C. 658. G. 22.5, 54. U. 196. 



Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; north casually to the 

 British Provinces, south to Chili and Patagonia; West Indies. 



Sp. Char. "Color entirely pure white at all seasons and at all ages. Bill 

 and lores rich chrome yellow, the latter sometimes tinged with light green; the 

 culmen usually black near the tip, sometimes nearly the entire maxilla black; 

 iris Naples yellow; legs and feet entirely deep black." 



stretch of 

 Length, wing. IVi'ng, Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 39.50 57.00 14.75 6.25 6..50 4..50 



Female... 38.00 5.5.00 14.00 6.00 5.75 4.25 



This delicate wader, though quite a summer wanderer, prefers 

 a warm climate and the seaboard for its home. They breed in 

 suitable localities throughout the Gulf States, and on the Pacific 

 slope north into Oregon. The stragglers north of their breed- 

 ing grounds are chietiy young birds, that soon realize their mis- 

 take and hasten south on the first approach of cold weather. 



These birds, as far as my observation goes, appear to be 

 strictly diurnal, and appear to have their favorite resting places, 

 which they leave at early daylight for their feeding grounds, 

 where they feed and rest alternately during the day. 



Their food, manner of flight, and habits generally, are similar 

 to the Great Blue Heron, though not as solitary and quarrelsome; 

 and, while I have found them nesting in tall trees and upon 

 broken-down reeds and rushes, they seem to prefer low bushes 

 and dry spots of ground, in retired and almost inaccessible 

 places. 



