KEY TO IIII-; WATICK I'.IKDS Ol' I'l.OKlDA. 2-^7, 



'I'his species ranges ihroiis^liout tropical and tt'inpcraU' America as far 

 soiitli as liuenos A\-res, South America. It is \er\- common in I'^lorida, wliere 

 it breeds, and has been know n to breed as far north as Lonu; Ishind. v^trag- 

 olers lia\e been taken in X()\a Scotia. 



The eo-i^s are three to five in nnnd)er and paU- lihie, as in most of this 

 family. 



^riiis species is sometimes confounded with the immature of the Florida 

 I>lue Heron, which is also white, but that species has a faint wash of o-rayisb 

 on the tips of the primaries. Besides havinij^ the primaries perfectly white 

 without anv wash near the tips, this species has the legs black, which in the 

 immature of the Florida Blue Heron are irreenish yellow. 



Subgenus DICHROMANASSA Ridow. 



ARDEA RUFESCEN5 Gwr/. 

 Reddish Egret. 



(Colored phase.) 



. I ////// in tolorcd phase : Head and neck lilac brown ; rest of plumage dark slate color. This 

 species has the long plumes extending from the .scapular region of the back during the breed- 

 ing season; legs and feet bluish, showing dusky on the scales of the tarsus. IJill black on the 

 terminal tliird. the balance flesh color; lores flesh color. 



