348 HERONS. 



FAMILY II. 

 THE HERONS. ARDEID.E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less long, and generally compressed on 

 the sides, with the culmen curved at the tip, which is sometimes emarginated and 

 acute ; the wings moderate and rounded ; the tail mostly short and rounded on the 

 sides ; the tarsi lengthened and rather slender ; the toes more or less long and rather 

 slender, with the outer toe longer than the inner, and both united at their bases, the 

 hind toe more or less short, and generally placed on the same level with the anterior 

 toes. 



The members of this family inhabit most parts of the world, 

 making regular migrations according to the change of seasons and 

 the scarcity of food. In their habits and mode of life they pre- 

 sent considerable diversity in accordance with the localities they 

 are destined to occupy. The greater number of species restrict 

 their visits to within the limits of the temperate zone, nevertheless 

 they are by no means wanting in intertropical countries, where 

 they constitute a very considerable proportion of the feathered 

 hosts that enliven the shores of lakes and the banks of rivers, or 

 people extensive plains and tracts of marshy ground : their habitat, 

 indeed, extends from the sea-coast to high up in the mountains 

 of the interior; and the open country, the jungle, and the forest 

 are equally benefited by their presence. They are usually seen 

 standing solitary in swamps, shallow rivers, or pools of water, with 

 their necks drawn down between the shoulders, quietly waiting 

 the approach of a fish, which they no sooner observe than the}' 

 suddenly dart their bill upon it and swallow it in an instant. 

 They also feed upon small quadrupeds, frogs, and various kinds 

 of insects ; and some species have been observed perched on the 

 backs of cattle, and feeding on the larvae of insects that infest 

 their hide. The nest is usually built on the loftiest trees, and on 

 elevated buildings, or amon^thc tall reeds on the borders of lakes 

 and rivers, and is formed orsticks lined with small twigs loosely 

 put together, which causes it to be large and flat. The eggs are 

 usually four or five in number, of a very pale blue or greenish 

 colour. The young are helpless, and are fed by their parents till 

 nearly full grown. The sexes are alike or nearly so, the female 

 being generally smaller than her mate, and with shorter crests or 

 plumes. They rarely run, but fly with ease, though not very fast. 



Belonging to this family are the Trumpeters, the Cranes, the 

 Herons proper, the Storks, and the Ibises, 



