THE BIRD BOOK 



194b. Ward's Heron. Ardea herodias rvardi. 



This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is 

 a lighter variety than the common. It nests to- 

 gether with the Great Blue Heron and its habits 

 are the same. 



[195.] European Heron. Ardea cinerea. 



This species is only an accidental straggler in 

 Greenland. It is very similar to our Blue Heron 

 and is the one which was formerly used to fur- 

 nish sport for the royalty when falconry was at 

 its height. 



196. Egret. Herodias egretta. 



\ 



Range. — Resident in the southern portions of 

 the United States, straggling northward casually 

 to the northern parts. 



This is one of the beautiful Herons which have 

 been sought by plume hunters till they are upon 

 the verge of extermination. They are entirely 

 white, with a long train of beautiful straight 

 "aigrettes" flowing from the middle of the back. 

 In remote localities, quite large colonies of them 

 may still be found, but where they numbered 

 thousands, years ago, they can be counted by 

 dozens now. They breed in impenetrable swamps, 

 very often in company with the following spe- 

 cies, and also with Louisiana and Little Blue 

 Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but 

 frail platforms, generally in bushes over the 

 water. Their usual complement of eggs numbers 

 from three to five, four as the most common num- 

 ber. They are generally laid during the latter 

 part of May, but often on account of their being 

 Egret Sre< disturbed, nests with eggs may be found in July. 



The eggs are a light bluish green in color. Size 

 2.25 x 1.45. Data. — Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs on a plat- 

 form of sticks and grass, in a buttonwood bush over six feet of water. Collec- 

 tor, George Graham. 



197. Snowy Egret. Egretta candidissima candidissima. 



Range. — Common now only in restricted lo- 

 calities in the Gulf States and Mexico. 



This species, which is smaller than the last, 

 being but twenty-four inches in length, is also 

 adorned with "aigrettes," but they are beauti- 

 fully recurved at the tips. Owin,? to the merci- 

 less slaughter to which they have been sub- 

 jected, their ranks have been woefully decimat- 

 ed, and it is to be hoped that the remaining 

 ones may be safely protected. Their nesting 

 habits are the same as the last, although, of 

 course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25. lAsht g - reenish blue 



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