AMERICAN EGRET 



white and buff markings down the foreneck; 

 back, wing coverts, tail and wings slaty gray; 

 bend of wing chestnut; under parts streaked 

 black and white with some rufous ; thighs rufous. 

 Bill mostly dull yellowish; legs and feet black. 



Young. Similar but plainer, no white on 

 crown, which is entirely black; neck brownish 

 gray washed with buffy. 



This large heron, recognizable by its great 

 size and prevailing blue gray coloration, is not 

 uncommon about the Lake, Canal and sea 

 coasts, but is usually seen singly or only a few 

 together. Its usual note is a short "quok," 

 briefer and in a somewhat different tone from that 

 of the Black-crowned Night Heron. 



2. Herodias egretta (Gmelin) 

 American Egret 



Length about 990 mm. (39.00 in.) ; tail about 

 153 mm. (6.00 in.). 



Plumage entirely white. Adults in the breed- 

 ing season have long straight "aigrette" 

 plumes growing from between the shoulders and 

 extending beyond the tail. These are wanting 

 at other seasons and in young birds. Bill yellow; 

 legs and feet black. 



No longer common in the Canal Zone, though 



single birds may occasionally be seen. On 



account of destruction for its plumes, this bird is 



everywhere greatly reduced in numbers and in 



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