GREAT WHITE HERON 

 192. Ardea occidentalis. 50 in. 



This is the largest heron that we get in North Amer- 

 ica, surpassing even the Great Blue. Its plumage is 

 entirely white ; no " aigrettes " on the back, but two 

 white plumes on the back of the head and the feathers 

 of the breast much lengthened, the same as in adult 

 Blue Herons; bill, eyes and legs yellow. A gray phase 

 of this heron, or a hybrid between it and the Great 

 Blue Heron, is occasionally found in Southern Florida; 

 it is similar to the Blue Heron, but paler and with the 

 head and neck white. 



Nest. A large platform of sticks placed in the tops 

 of mangroves. Their three or four eggs are not dis- 

 tinguishable from those of the next species; June. 



Range. Said to be not uncommon on some of the 

 Florida Keys. 



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