254 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



White phase : Entire plumage white : bill black on the'terminal third; balance flesh color ; 

 legs greenish. 



Length, 29; Wing, 14; Tail, 4; Tarsus, 5.30; Bill, 3.90. 



X 



(White phase.) 



For a long time the white phase of this species was considered to be 

 distinct and was known as Peal's Egret. There can be no doubt as to its 

 merely being a different phase of plumage and not a distinct species, as the 

 3^oung birds, both white and colored, have been taken from the same nest. 



It usually breeds in Florida, the nest being built on the lower branches 

 of a mangrove tree close to the water. I found this bird breeding in the 

 Bahama Islands, and on June 25, 1879, took a white and a gray bird from 

 the same nest, neither of them being old enough to fly. 



The eggs are usually from 3 to 4 in number, being pale blue in color 



Subgenus HYDRANASSA Baird. 



ARDEA TRICOLOR RUFFCOLLIS {^Gossi). 

 Louisiana Heron. 



Adult male in breeding plumage : Terminal third of bill black, balance blue; lores blue in 

 winter : bill black, yellowish at Ijase ; general plumage slaty blue : crest streaked reddish purple> 



