250 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



This species is resident in Florida, occurring most commonly in the 

 southern part of the State. It has been recorded from Cuba and Jamaica. 

 It is not common now and is becoming less so every year. The birds breed in 

 colonies, the nest being a mass of sticks placed in mangrove trees. The 

 eggs are usuallv from three to four, pale bluish in color. 



ARDEA WLJERDEMANNI Baird. 

 Wiirdemann's Heron. 



Adult : Head and upper neck white, the forehead showing blackish edges to the feathers 

 and faint streaks of black on the back of the head ; neck grayish purple ; rest of plumage 

 somewhat resembling the Great Blue Heron, but the markings are paler. 



Size about the same as Ardca occidentalis. 



This bird is probably merely a color phase of occidentalis. It is no- 

 where common and is seen so seldom that it is doubtful if its true standing 

 will ever be known ; still the preponderance of opinion among naturalists 

 seeins to be that it is simplv a color phase of occidentalis and should not 

 be recognized as a species. Nearly all of the specimens now in collections 

 have been taken on the southwestern coast of Florida. 



ARDEA WARDI Ridgw. 

 Ward's Heron. 



Adult : Similar to the Great Blue Heron but somewhat larger, especially the bill. The legs 

 are olive instead of black, as a rule ; bill usually yellow, dusky on the top, as a rule, but some- 

 times entirely yellow. 



Wing, 20.50 : Tarsus, S.75 : Bill, 6.50 to 7. 



This species seems to be restricted to Florida : it breeds in communities, 

 the eggs being apparently of the same color as those of the northern 

 Blue Heron. 



ARDEA HER0DIA5 Liiiu. 

 Great Blue Heron. 



Crest lengthened : bill yellow, dark brown on top ; legs and feet dark brown ; soles of the 

 feet yellow : a streak from the forehead to the middle of the crown white : sides of the crown 

 and crest feathers black; neck grayish purple mixed with black and white; chin and part of the 

 cheeks whitish, extending in a tawny line on the throat ; neck plumes ; belly black streaked with 



