BLUE GAULIN. 337 



observation, both of which occurred in the mid- 

 dle of the winter. It is probably a migrant from 

 the continent ; the preceding, however, is a per- 

 manent resident with us. 



From the rarity of its occurrence, I can add 

 nothing to Wilson's account of this species ; except 

 that in the stomach of one I found twenty -nine 

 small silvery fishes, a species of Smaris. 



BLUE GAULIN.* 



Blue Crane^ or Heron. WILS. 

 Egretta coerulea. 



Ardea cceruka, LINN. Aud. pi. 307. 



Ardea ccerulescens, LATH. 



Egretta coerulea^ BONAP. 



THE slender contour of this bird, its arching pur- 

 ple neck, its filamentous crown-plumes, and the long 

 pointed scapulars arching down over its back, com- 

 bine with its graceful motions and delicate hue, 

 to give this bird an aspect of peculiar elegance. 

 Less suspicious than most of its tribe, it will fre- 

 quently allow the beholder to stand and admire 

 it, without alarm, as it stands in some shallow 

 stream, or secluded pool, intent on its occupation, 

 while the glassy surface gives back its beautiful 

 form, unbroken. Its motions are deliberate and 



* Length 22 inches, expanse 37, flexure 1 1, tail 3^, rictus 3^, tarsus 

 4, middle toe 2-^. One caecum, rudimentary, 2- inches from cloaca. 



Q 



