Herons and their Allies 



the hind one about on the level with the front ones, enabling 

 the birds to rake the muddy bottoms of shallow lagoons with 

 their feet. Claws less nail-like than in true ibises. Strong, 

 graceful fliers. 



Wood Ibis 



Herons and Bitterns 



(Family Ardeidce) 



Birds of this family, that contains about seventy-five species t 

 mostly confined to the tropics, have certain peculiar feathers 

 or "powder-down tracts" which, when worn in pairs of 

 two or three, are a fair but superficial mark of the clan. The 

 herons wear three pairs; one on the back, over the hips; one 

 underneath the hips, on the abdomen ; and another on the breast. 

 Bitterns lack the pair underneath. Their purpose is not yet 

 known, but some scientists contend that these tracts are phos- 

 phorescent, and that fish are lured by them at night. The plu- 

 mage is generally loose, adorned with lengthened feathers, some 

 species having beautiful crests and plumes on the back, that are 

 worn in the nesting season. The legs are long and un- 

 feathered, for wading; the four toes, all on the same level, are 

 long and slender, for perching. The bill, which is always longer 

 than the elongated, narrow head, appears to run directly into the 

 eyes. Usually herons nest and roost in flocks, in favorable locali- 

 ties, numbering thousands; but when feeding on the shores of 

 lagoons, rivers, and lakes, solitary birds are seen. Other species, 

 on the contrary, live singly or in pairs all the time. 



American Bittern, or Marsh Hen. 



Least Bittern. 



Great Blue Heron, or Blue Crane. 



Little Blue Heron, or Blue Egret. 



Snowy Heron, or White Egret. 



Green Heron, or Poke. 



Black-crowned Night Heron, or Quawk. 



152 



