THE HERONS AND IBISES 



(Order, HERODIONES) 



While none of the order Herod iones, which includes 

 the storks, herons, ibises and bitterns, can be consid- 

 ered game birds, they are so common about our waters, 

 and some of them add such a charm to the scene by 

 their beautiful plumage and graceful movement, that 

 mention of some of them here will not be out of place. 



The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is the most 

 common of these waders. With his long, gracefully 

 curved neck and slender legs he wades with stately 

 mien along the shallow waters of the lakes, marshes 

 and streams, both summer and winter, for he is to the 

 manner born and has no desire to seek other lands or 

 other climes. The herons are said to be destructive to 

 fish. This can be to a limited extent only, for they 

 subsist very largely on the enemies of the fish, de- 

 stroying hundreds of snakes, water lizards and other 

 fish destroyers. 



The snowy heron, or white crane as it is commonly 

 called (Ardea candidissima), is another handsome wader 

 that lends a charm to the lakes, ponds and streams 

 from Oregon south through Mexico. Built on the same 

 graceful lines as its blue relative, and with a plumage 

 as white as the purest snow, it never fails to attract 

 attention. 



Three representatives of the family Ibididae are found 

 here and present a pleasing and interesting group. 



The white-faced glossy ibis (Plegadis gaurauna) 

 ranges over the larger portion of the Coast, but 

 from Lower California north only for breeding purposes. 

 Its long curved bill, slim, gracefully bent neck, shapely 

 body, tall legs and irridescent reflections of its plumage 

 in the sunlight, place it among the most attractive of 

 North American birds. Unlike the herons they are gre- 

 garious and are, therefore, seen in flocks of varying 

 size. The glossy ibis is often called bronze curlew, but 

 this is a bad misnomer, as they are in no way related 

 to the curlew. 



Another of the family is the white ibis (Gaura alba). 

 These are quite common in Lower California and Mex- 

 ico. They rarely migrate into California, though they 

 venture much to the north of us in a northeastern di- 

 rection, reaching the shores of the Great Salt Lake, 

 during the breeding season. The scarlet ibis (Guara 

 rubra), the other member of the family, is confined to 

 Mexico, so far as these articles are concerned. 



The American egret (Ardea egretta) ranges from Ore- 

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