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LITTLE BLUE HERON 



200. Florida ccerulca. 22 in. 



Head and neck, maroon; rest of plumage slaty-blue; 

 plumes on back of head, breast and on the back; eyes 

 yellow; bill and feet greenish. Young birds are white, 

 usually with a tinge of bluish on the forehead and ends 

 of the wings. They can be distinguished from the simi- 

 lar Snowy Herons by the greenish-black legs, while the 

 legs of the latter are black with yellow feet. These 

 little herons are resident and most abundant in the 

 South Atlantic and Gulf States. They are at home in 

 and enjoy the rankest and most impenetrable swamps, 

 where only birds or reptiles can tread with safety. 

 Yet herons are an interesting group and, in their own 

 way, perform useful service to mankind by destroying 

 quantities of reptiles, insects and mice. 



Nest. The nesting habits and eggs of this species are 

 the same as those of the little Snowy Heron and the 

 eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty. 



Range. Breeds north to Virginia and Illinois; later 

 may stray north to New England. 



