BIRDS OF 



The adult Heron is an exceedingly wary bird and is seldom 

 obtained except when it happens to fly above some hunter who 

 is concealed among the rushes watching for ducks. 



When thus brought down from above with neck, wings and 

 legs getting all mixed up it presents a most ragged appearance, 

 but when seen alive at shooting distance the graceful move- 

 ments of the long, lithe neck, with its pointed plumes present a 

 sight we all like to look upon. 



Subgenus HERODIAS Boie. 



70. ARDEA EGRETTA Gmel. 196. 



American Efi^ret. 



Adult with a long occipital crest of decomposed feathers and similar dorsal 

 plumes, latter recurved when perfect ; similar, but not recurved plumes on 

 the lower neck, which is bare behind ; lores, eyes and toes yellow ; bill and 

 legs black, former yellow at base, latter yellow at lower part behind. Plum- 

 age always entirely white. Length, 24 ; wing, 11-12 ; bill, 3 ; tarsus, 3^-4. 



Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota, 

 and Oregon south to Patagonia ; casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova 

 Scotia. 



I have only one record of the occurrence of this species 

 in Ontario ; it is from Dr. Garnier, and I give it in his own 

 words, as follows : 



" Garzetta Candidissima, Little White Heron, is also some- 

 times seen here, but I think rarely. I never saw it myself. 

 One was shot by a Frenchman named David Leguis, in 1870, 

 at Mitchell's Bay, at least so he declared to me positively, and I 

 have no reason to dispute him, as in these matters he was 

 reliable enough." 



This is a Southern bird but I think it will yet be found as 

 an occasional straggler along our Southern border. 



Subgenus GARZETTA Kaup. 



71. ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA Gmel. 197. 



Snow^y Heron 



No obviously lengthened feathers on the head at any time ; in the breed- 

 ing season, back with very long plumes of decomposed feathers drooping far 



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