ARDEA. HERON. 439 



scutella, posteriorly with an inner row of scutella. Toes 

 very long, rather slender, scutellate ahove, flattened beneath ; 

 the first large, the second a little shorter than the fourth, 

 which is connected with the third by a basal web. Claws 

 moderate, arched, compressed, narrowed beneath, acute ; 

 that of the middle toe with a serrate inner edge. 



Plumage soft and full. Feathers on the head elongated 

 and pointed, generally forming a decurved crest ; on the 

 neck moderate, inclined backwards, on its fore part below 

 elongated and tapering ; on the fore part of the back much 

 elongated, with close barbs, which are separated toward the 

 end. Wings ample ; the outer four quills nearly equal. Tail 

 short, nearly even, of twelve feathers. 



Species of this genus occur on both continents, Ardea 

 Herodias of America and Ardea cinerea of Europe being 

 among the most characteristic species. They feed on fishes, 

 frogs, insects, sometimes small mammalia, and young birds ; 

 nestle on trees or bushes, sometimes on the ground, laying 

 three or four broadly elliptical light blue eggs ; have a 

 sedate, heavy flight ; and are generally shy and suspicious. 

 The Night-Herons on the one hand, and the Egrets on the 

 other, are intimately connected with this genus, of which 

 the limits are, in fact, incapable of being strictly determined. 



Two species occur in Britain — one resident and generally 

 dispersed, the other an accidental visitant. 



