96 WADING BIRDS. 



been taken in New England, and in 1884 one was shot near 

 Halifax, N. S. 



Some naturalists place this among the dichromatic species, while 

 others consider that the white phase, so called, is seen only in 

 young birds, — that all the young are white or pied. 



LOUISIANA HERON. 



Ardea tricolor ruficollis. 



Char. Above, ashy blue, darker on head and neck ; crest reddish 

 purple, excepting the long narrow plume-feathers, which are white ; 

 plumes of the breast mixed, maroon and blue ; train of straight hair-like 

 plumes from the back extending beyond the tail, of light drab color, 

 lighter towards the tips ; under parts white. Length 24 to 27 inches. 



Nest. Usually in a community ; placed on a low tree or bush ; made of 

 small twigs. 



Eggs. 2-6: blue with a slight tinge of green ; 1.75 X 1.35. 



This richly apparelled bird, sometimes called the " Lady of the 

 Waters," occurs in numbers in the Carolinas and southward to the 

 Gulf, and is very abundant in Central America. An occasional 

 straggler has been found as far north as Long Island and Indiana. 



Those who are familiar with the bird's habits say that it is 

 extremely sociable, and is usually found in company with other 

 species, — the White Egret, Blue Heron, Night Heron, etc. In its 

 movements are combined rare grace and dignity. Even when 

 hunting for prey it displays less impetuosity than any other of the 

 group. The usual feeding-place is a sand-bar or shallow pond, and 

 there it saunters with stately tread, or stands calmly waiting and 

 watching. If a coveted leech or water-bug halts beyond reaching 

 distance, the Heron stalks upon it in a crouched and cat-like atti- 

 tude, and then strikes quick and straight. The flight is rather 

 irregular, but is swifter than that of any other Heron. If one of 

 a flock is wounded, its companions hover about it with cries of 

 sympathetic interest. 



