399 



AKDEIN^. 



HERONS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



The genera which collectively constitute the family of 

 Ardeinse are Ciconia, Argala, Mycteria, Ardea, Egretta, 

 Nycterodius, Botaurus, Anastomus, Scopus, Cancroma, and 

 some others formed of sections of the genus Ardea of the 

 older writers, that is, of those who nourished thirty or forty 

 years ago. It is chiefly in the skeleton, digestive organs, 

 wings, and feet that these genera present easily appreciable 

 characters of general application. The hill, although differing 

 little in form in three-fourths of the genera, varies consider- 

 ably, even in them, as to length, thickness, and other circum- 

 stances ; and in the rest exhibits remarkable peculiarities. 



A Heron at first sight seems to have little affinity to the 

 other groups of the birds usually called Waders or Gralla- 

 tores ; but a closer inspection discloses gradations of specific 

 forms by which it is connected with them. Thus, our 

 common Heron is obviously allied to the common Stork. 

 This latter is very similar in form and plumage to Anas- 

 tomus, which, however, has the bill considerably modified, 

 and the toes and claws longer; Anastomus resembles (Edi- 

 cnemus magnirostris in its bill, and does not differ widely from 

 it in plumage. Now (Edicnemus belongs to the family of 

 Charadriinse, or Plovers, which are allied to the Bustards, 

 and these latter in several respects resemble the Perdicinse. 

 Some Cranes so much resemble Storks or Herons that most 

 authors have referred them to the same group, although they 

 present well-marked distinctive characters. In the general 

 form, and especially in the structure of the legs, toes, wings, 



