58



Mr. J. L. Bonhote,



tide. In this last place it looked more like a Rail than a Heron,

and if not too suddenly disturbed it would run to the nearest

shelter with its neck held low in front, and as soon as some

sheltered spot was gained, often under the shadow of some rock,

it would draw in its neck, and, bunching itself up, remain

motionless. When among trees its method of concealment was

precisely the reverse, and instead of bunching itself up in a dark

shapeless mass, it would stretch upwards to its full extent,

becoming as thin and long as possible and appearing like a

branch of the tree itself


The Great Blue Heron ( A. herodias ) is also numerous

throughout the islands, but is without exception the wariest bird

I ever met with. Most of the individuals seenare immature, and

I doubt if it breeds nearer than Florida. Another fairly numerous

species, especially in summer, is the Louisiana Heron ( A . Uicoloi ').

This is a small bird of most graceful flight, and nothing can

exceed the delicate beauty of its breeding plumage ; the whole

colour of the neck and upperparts is a delicate blue, the longer

Egret plumes having a tendency to pale rufous, as have also the

elongated feathers at the base cxf the neck. The chin is white,

shading into rusty, and forming a uarow stripe down the neck.

The crest is short, being only about three inches long ; in colour

it is white, each feather having a rusty tip. The whole of the

underparts are of a perfectly pure immaculate white. When alive

all the blue portions are tinged with a delicate plum-like bloom

which adds a handsome finish to the graceful beauty of the bird.

In this species the bare skin in front of the eye, yellow at other

times, is, during the breeding season, bright ultramarine blue, and

the bill itself is deeply tinged with the same colour, causing the

bird to be erroneously described as new some years back under the

name of A. cyanirostris . The blue colour (present only during the

breeding season) in the skin of this and several other species,

eg., the Green Heron, and in a less degree in the Reddish Egret,

is worthy of note as it has hitherto been considered as an

established fact that blue pigment did not exist among birds.

In winter the Louisiana Heron is generally to be found in flocks

of twenty or more, almost iuvariabty congregated on one of the

large mangrove islands noticed above. They are very tame



