20 GRALLATORES. ARDEA, HERON. 



est estimation, has failed in pointing out the distinctive cha- 

 racters of the two species, and considers them in his Manual 

 as identical, in which he has been followed by STEPHENS 

 and others, WAGLER, however, whose skill in detecting, 

 and accuracy in delineating, specific distinctions, merit the 

 highest praise, has marked, with much precision, the charac- 

 ters of each ; and WILSON, who describes the Ardea Egretta 

 in his admirable Ornithology of North America, states his 

 conviction, from a comparison of the characters of each, that 

 the European must be a distinct species from that which he 

 describes. The White Heron inhabits the eastern parts of 

 Europe, and is found in abundance upon the shores of the 

 Caspian and Black Seas. It is plentiful in Turkey, Hun- 

 gary, Russia, and Poland ; and is also met with in Sardinia 

 and Greece. It does not appear that its geographical distri- 

 bution extends to Africa, the White Heron of that country, 

 frequently confounded with it, being a different species, de- 

 scribed by WAGLER under the title of Ardea Jlavirostris. 

 In the mature state, the Great White Heron is adorned with 

 long plumes, which form a train, hanging over and beyond 

 the tail : the feathers which compose it take their rise on the 

 back, from behind the shoulders, and consist each of a strong 

 shaft, with long hair-like laciniated silky webs. These fea- 

 thers, as well as those of the Lesser Egret {Ardea garzetta), 

 were formerly in great request as plumes for the head, and 

 to adorn other parts of dress, and are still much worn by 

 the Turks, and other eastern nations. The bird, when ir- 

 ritated or frightened, is in the habit of erecting these long 

 dorsal feathers. Its manners greatly resemble those of its 

 Food. congeners, and its food is similar, consisting of fish, reptiles, 

 Nest, &c. i nsec ts 5 & c . It is stated to build its nest in the marshes, 

 among reeds, and other aquatic herbage, and not upon trees, 

 and to lay four or five large bluish-green eggs. 



General p LATE JV. The whole of the body is pure white. A short 

 tion. crest depends from the occiput. In the adult bird, and 



