494 BRITISH BIRDS. 
The general colour of the plumage of the Buff-backed Heron is snowy 
white. In spring plumage the feathers of the head, neck, upper breast, 
and upper back are buff and are filamented. Two tufts of similar hair- 
like feathers, mixed buff and white in colour, spring from the upper back 
and extend beyond the tail. Bill, legs, and feet yellow; irides yellow ; 
bare space in front of the eye greenish yellow. The female differs from 
the male in having the nuptial plumes less developed. In winter plumage 
all the nuptial plumes have disappeared and the bird is snowy white ; 
the legs also become dark brown. Young in first plumage resemble 
adults in winter plumage, except that the back and crown are more or 
less suffused with buff. In birds of the year the buff is confined to the 
crown. 
