1 66 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



FAM. ARDEID.^. 



HERONS. 



ARDEA HEROD/AS. Linn. 

 Great Blue Heron. 



Local Name. — Arsnicker. 



Adult Male. — Above, grayish blue; neck, grayish brown, witli 

 a wliite Hne on the throat ; head, black, having a white patch on the 

 forehead ; below, mostly white and black, sometimes streaked with 

 brown ; edge of the wings and feathers of the leg showing orange, 

 brown, and gray ; bill, yellow ; legs, greenish ; iris, yellow. 



Length 48, wing 20, tail 7, tarsus 6.50, bill 5.50. 



This species is a common winter visitant, and perhaps a resident. 

 During its stay it may be frequently met with on the beaches or in 

 the small inland ponds, but it is extremely watchful and difficult 

 to approach. The flesh of this bird is considered a great delicacy 

 by the inhabitants. 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. VI. pi. 369. 



