ARDEA HERODIAS : GREAT BLUE HERON. 259 



Family ARDEID^: Herons. 



GREAT BLUE HERON. 



ArDEA HERODIAS LillH. 



Chars. Of very large size, and dark varied colors ; never white. 

 Back without peculiar plumes, but scapulars lengthened and 

 lanceolate ; an occipital crest, two long filamentous feathers of 

 which are deciduous, ornamenting the bird only during the 

 breeding season. Bill yellow, more or less blackened on the cul- 

 men ; iris yellow ; lores blue ; legs and feet blackish, soles 

 yellowish. Tibiae and edge of wing chestnut. Forehead and 

 middle of crown white ; sides of head, and the crest, black. 

 Neck pale purplish-gray, with a mixed black, white, and rusty 

 throat-line, yielding to white on chin and cheeks. General 

 color of upper parts slaty-blue ; tail the same ; scapular 

 feathers more pearly-gray ; wing-feathers deepening from this 

 color to black on the primaries. Young with colors less 

 pronounced, etc. ; but the species may always be recognized by its 

 dark color and large stature. Length, 42.00-50.00 ; extent about 

 70.00; wing, 18.00-20.00; tail, 7.00-8.00; bill, 4.50-6.25, 

 usually between 5.00 and 6.00 ; tibiae bare 3.00-4.00 ; tarsus 

 usually 6.50-7.00. 



This great Heron, commonly but wrongly known 

 as the " blue crane," is a summer resident in New 

 England ; more abundant during the migrations, and 

 generally but unevenly distributed over the country, 

 according to the nature of the surface. It usually 

 arrives early in April, and departs in October, some 

 individuals, however, lingering into November. It is to 

 be seen in its usual resorts singly or in small flocks, and 



