254 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



IVIiite pJiasc : 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. 



^^ ^ 



(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, ^^^^ ^ 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 RUFICOLLIS ( Gosse). 

 Louisiana Heron. 



Adult male in hi-ecdi)ig phunagc : Terminal third of bill black, balance blue : lores blue in 

 winter: bill black, yellowish at base : general plumage slaty blue: crest streaked reddish purple? 



