AMERICAN EGRET 



196. Herodias egretta. 41 in. 



Entirely white, with no plumes on the head but with 

 a long train of straight " aigrette " plumes growing 

 from the middle of the back; bill and eye, yellow; legs 

 and feet, black. Young and adults in winter, without 

 plumes. The hand of man, to gratify the desire of 

 woman, has ruthlessly slaughtered thousands upon thou- 

 sands of these exquisitely beautiful birds; in Florida 

 where they were abundant a few years ago, only strag- 

 glers are seen. A few of these heronries are yet left, 

 either because they are in wildernesses where man has 

 not yet penetrated, or are strongly protected by the 

 humane owners of the land. It is only at the breeding 

 places that they can be killed in numbers, as at other 

 times they are shy; and it is only during nesting season 

 that they wear -their beautiful plumes. 



Nest. A frail platform of sticks, at low elevations,, 

 in bushes usually over water in swamps. Eggs, 3 or 

 4 in number, plain bluish green (2.25x1.45); April 

 to Jiinp. 



