598 THE GREAT WHITE EGRET. 



structure of certain ornamental plumes, to which the name 

 Egret, from the French " aigrette," refers, they have no 

 differentiation in form, but in all respects are Herons. The 

 Great White Egret (Ardea egretta), sometimes called White 

 Heron, is one of our finest birds of this kind. Some 38.25 

 long and 55.00 in extent, it is a large and stately bird, of 

 purest white, and during the breeding season has a most 

 elegant train of long filamentous plumes, flowing from the 

 back over the wings and tail. The iris, bill and lores are 

 bright yellow; and the legs are black. 



One of the most characteristic traits of this bird, as also 

 of its class, is the gathering at some remote roosting place 

 at night. The student of their habits may easily imagine 

 a like scene to that so finely exhibited in the younger 

 Brehm's picture of the " Settling of the Storks at Night." 

 The inimitably bright and gorgeous hues of the sunset 

 have not only glorified the clouds from horizon to zenith, 

 but have tinged every cubic inch of atmosphere, and re- 

 flected themselves in every object of the landscape. In 

 some secluded thicket or swampy woodland, silently re- 

 flected in the glassy streams and ponds around, flocks of 

 these large snowy birds, with slow and steady beat of wings 

 and in graceful floating trains, appear. The more distant 

 flocks have their necks drawn up upon their breasts, and 

 their long legs extended out behind; those nearer are be- 

 ginning to hold their broad wings rigidly extended, as they 

 prepare to lower themselves; those nearer still, with out- 

 spread wings, and long neck and legs more or less stretched 

 out, are settling toward the woods and waters, while others 

 still are already adjusting themselves on the lower and 

 higher perches. Every movement is most elegant and 

 graceful, and indicates the most complete sense of seclusion, 

 safety and sweet contentment; while the brilliant lights, 



