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the middle of the back extending about four inches beyond the tail. 

 Length twenty-three inches, wing ten and a half Young white, 

 gradually changing to blue as it advances in age. 



This species is said to be common in Jamacia and other West 

 India Islands ; it is also a resident of the Southern States, and has 

 been found breeding in the intermediate districts from Florida to 

 New Jersey. During summer, stragglers occasionally wander as 

 far as Massachusetts, where, as with us, it is rare. 



Though seeming to have a partiality for the marshes along the 

 Atlantic districts, it is not altogether confined to the sea coast ; it fre- 

 quents the fresh water bogs in the vicinity of the interior streams 

 — and according to Wilson, is observed along the muddy shores of 

 the Mississippi, in the neighborhood of New Orleans. 



ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA— GMEL. 



SNOWY HERON. 



Snowy Heron, Ardea candidissima, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Ardea candidissima, Bonap. Syn. 

 Snowy Heron, Ardea candidissima, Nutt. Man. 

 Snowy Heron, Ardea candidissima, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Plumage pure white ; the feathers on the 

 upper part of the head, occiput and lower part of the fore neck 

 long and slender ; the back is furnished with long loose hairy fea- 

 thers ; bill and legs black ; toes yellow. Length of adult two feet, 

 wing ten inches and five-eighths. Young, white — a yellowish 

 tinge on the nape and back ; legs and toes dull green. 



During the summer months, this elegant species is found as far 

 east as Massachusetts. On Long Island it is not abundant, though 

 by no means uncommon, and is known to the gunners by the name 

 of " White Poke." In small parties, they frequent the salt marshes, 

 mud-flats, and sand-bars, and are observed wading about in the 

 shallow water, in search of small crabs, lizards and worms — which, 

 with several species of aquatic .plants, constitute their food. 



The Snowy Heron feeds by day, and when wading about in 

 search of its favorite fare, or while making short excursions through 



