HERON. GRALLATORES. ARDEA. 9 



GENUS ARDEA. HERON. 



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GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill longer than the head, higher than broad, straight, 

 compressed, sharp-pointed, of mean strength. Base of both " 



mandibles covered with a delicate cere. Mandibles of near- 

 ly equal length ; maxilla laterally sulcated for about two- 

 thirds of its length ; culmen rounded ; tip drawn to a point, 

 and very slightly inclined, emarginated ; tomia of maxilla 

 equal, serrated towards the tip. Mandibles of equal depth, 

 tomia drawn inwards, very sharp, and serrated near the 

 point. Angle of maxilla with the culmen compressed, more 

 or less ascending. Lores naked. 



Nostrils at a short distance from the base of the bill, and 

 placed in the lateral furrow ; longitudinal and narrow ; per- 

 vious, and partly covered with a naked membrane. 



Tongue reaching to about half the length of the bill, nar- 

 row, membranous, and sharp-pointed. Feet with the tarsus 

 considerably longer than the middle toe ; toes four, rather 

 long, slender, congruous, all unequal ; the middle one con- 

 nected, as far as the first phalange, to the exterior by a 

 membrane ; interior one nearly free. Hind toe about half 

 the length of the middle one, articulated interiorly upon the 

 same plane, and resting entirely upon the ground. Tibia 

 naked for a considerable space above the tarsal joint. Nails 

 falcate, that of the hind toe the longest of all ; that of the 

 middle toe pectinated. Front of the tarsus clypeate; hinder 

 part of the tarsus reticulated. Upper part of the toes scu- 

 tellated. 



Wings ample, rounded ; the second and third quills the 

 longest. Tail short and even. Neck covered with short 

 close-set feathers; and, in adults, towards the base of the 

 fore part of the neck, rise long acuminate pendulous feathers. 

 Feathers on the back elongated, silky, linear, or laciniated, 

 with decomposed barbs and barbules. 

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