GRALLATORES. 295 



Genus ARDEA, Linnaeus. 



Members of this genus are found in America, Asia, Africa, 

 and Australia. 



Sp. 545. ARDEA CINEREA, Zinn. 



Common Heron. 



Ardea cinerea, Linn. Syst. Nat., torn. i. p. 236. 



leuco])hiea, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, 1848, p. 58. 



Ardea leucophsea, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pi. 55. 



During my journey into the interior of South Australia in 

 1839, I saw a fine adult example of this bird, but although I 

 resorted to every possible stratagem in my power to get within 

 shot of it, I regret to say I was unsuccessful ; I have since, 

 however, received a skin direct from New South Wales. 



Mr. Blyth considers that this Heron is not specifically dis- 

 tinct from the Ardea cinerea of India and Europe ; and if this 

 be really the case, the species enjoys a very extensive range 

 over the whole world, including Africa. 



Forehead and upper portion of the crest white ; sides of the 

 head and lower portion of the crest deep glossy black ; neck 

 white, washed with vinous, and with a series of lanceolate 

 marks of black disposed alternately down the front ; all the 

 upper surface, wings, and tail dark grey, the lanceolate 

 feathers of the back fading into white ; edge of the wings 

 buffy white ; primaries and secondaries dark slate-colour ; 

 flanks and under surface of the wing grey ; chest and abdo- 

 men white, separated from the grey of the flanks by a series 

 of black feathers ; under tail-coverts and thighs white ; bill 

 yellow ; tarsi olive. 



The young differs in having the whole of the crown of tlie 

 head black ; all the upper surface greyish brown ; and the 

 under surface striated with brown and white. 



