GREAT WHITE HERON 
192. Ardea occidentalis. 50 in. 
This is the largest heron that we get in North Amer- 
ica, surpassing even the Great Blue. Its plumage is 
entirely white; no “aigrettes” on the back, but two 
white plumes on the back of the head and the feathers 
of the breast much lengthened, the same as in adult 
Blue Herons; bill, eyes and legs yellow. <A gray phase 
of this heron, or a hybrid between it and the Great 
Blue Heron, is occasionally found in Southern Florida; 
it is similar to the Blue Heron, but paler and with the 
head and neck white. 
Nest.—A large platform of sticks placed in the tops 
of mangroves. Their three or four eggs are not dis- 
tinguishable from those of the next species; June. 
Range.—Said to be not uncommon on some of the 
Florida Kevs. 
