88 WADING BIRDS. 



The Snowy Heron occurs regularly, in summer, from the Gulf 

 States to Long Island. It is occasionally seen also along the 

 Atlantic coast as far as Nova Scotia, and in the interior has been 

 taken in Ohio and Ontario. 



One writer has called this species a scraper^ or raker, because it 

 uses its legs and claws to start from their hiding-places the animals 

 it desires to secure for food. In this movement it is said to sur- 

 pass all other species in adroitness and rapidity, using the feet so 

 rapidly as to cause the whole body to quiver. The scraping is done 

 sometimes in water so deep that it reaches to the bird's belly. 



Our bird wears the most beautiful plumes of all the Herons, and 

 in consequence has been nearly exterminated by the plume-hunters. 

 Instead of the thousands that gathered at their heronries a few 

 years ago, only a few scattered birds can now be found. 



REDDISH EGRET. 



PEALE'S EGRET. 

 Ardea RUFESCEXS. 



Char. Colored phase. General plumage grayish blue, darker on the 

 back, paler below ; head and neck with long, narrow feathers, — longest 

 on the back of the neck and the lower part of the breast, — of rich red- 

 dish brown, sometimes tinged with purple; scapular plumes and train 

 — the latter extending beyond the tail — grayish blue, tinged with brown 

 towards the ends; bill pink, tipped with black; legs blue, claws black. 



White phase. Plumage entirely white ; bill pink, tipped with black ; 

 legs and feet olive, soles yellow. Length about 30 inches. 



Young of both phases similar to the adult, but lacking the nuptial 

 plumes. Sometimes the blue and white colors are displayed by the same 

 specimen in a " pied " form. 



Nest. With a community close by the sea-shore ; placed on a low 

 tree or bush, sometimes on the ground, — a platform of dry twigs. 



Eggs. 2-6 (usually 3); pale blue tinged with green; size variable, 

 average about 1.90 X 145. 



This is another of those dichromatic species that have caused 

 confusion and controversy, and given to both systematists and 

 book-makers a deal of trouble. 



The white phase has in this instance been made to play the 

 shuttlecock ; and appearing first as a distinct species, under the 

 name of " Peale's Egret," it has been tossed hither and yon by the 

 numerous writers who have laid claim to a solution of the problem 

 which these varied phases of plumage present. At one time made 

 out to be the young of A. rufa, later set up as a white phase of 

 this species, again seized upon by the hungry variety-makers 



