1So A HANDBOOK OF EUROPEAN BIRDS. 
PURPLIHERON. 
Ardea purpurea Zznz. 
Adult : Crown and nape bluish-black, feathers of occiput 
elongated ; chin and throat white, neck reddish-brown, streaked 
with black and on the chest with creamy-white and the 
feathers elongated; Jack slaty-grey furnished with rufous 
plumes ; carpal-joint buff; wings conspicuously shaded with 
rufous ; deneath shaded rufous, marked with grey and black ; 
bill yellow, shaded with brown above; legs and feet greenish, 
dusky in front ; irides yellow. Length 30 to 36 inches ; culmen 
eo: wing 14 tor4 5 > tail 5 tansus| Ase Os. 
Female: Smaller and duller than male. 
Immature Birds: Forehead blackish ; occipital feathers 
and those of scapulars and chest not elongated ; neck much 
paler, especially in front, where it is whitish streaked with 
black ; black streaks on sides of neck absent; under parts 
rufous shaded with white ; bill pale yellow, dark brown on ridge 
of culmen ; irides pale yellow. 
Distribution: Inhabits most of the temperate and tro- 
pical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere; migratory in the 
morthern parts. 
Habitat: Dense reedy morasses or the reedy margins of 
lakes. 
GREAT W.HILTE EGRET: 
Ardea alba Zinn. 
Adult (Summer): Entire A/umage white ; lower parts of 
back furnished with hair-like plumes reaching to the tail; 
feathers on crop also elongated and lanceolate, occipital 
feathers very little elongated ; bill black ; legs and feet brown, 
paler on tibia. Length go to 42 inches; culmen 5; wing 16 to 
Lo ¢ai 6°75 5 tarsus 735; 
Adult Female: Has shorter plumes upon the back. 
Adult (Winter): MHas the bill yellow shaded with 
brown. 
Immature Birds: Lack the elongated feathers, which are 
assumed about the third year; bill yellowish; legs and feet 
pale brown. 
