83 
WuitEe HERONS. 
Though not forming a recognized systematic division of the Herons 
there are several species showing pure white plumages, that are distinct 
enough to warrant discussion. 
In some of these species, the Egrets, white is the adult plumage, in 
others it is a dichromatic form; that is the species occurs in two colour 
phases, either of which is normal, and cannot be referred to either albinism 
or melanism or to sex, age, or season. In still other species the white is 
a plumage of juvenility or old age and is regularly assumed at the proper 
time. These white plumages were a source of considerable confusion in 
identifying species until they were fully worked out. All of the White 
Herons are of southern distribution and are rare in Canada. 
196. American Egret. FR.—L’EGRETTE BLANCHE D’AMERIQUE. Herodias egretta. 
L, 41. Almost as large as the Great Blue Heron, but always pure white. In breeding 
season cascade of some fifty fine straight plumes originates in middle back region and 
festoons over lower back and tail. 
Distinctions. Size, colour, and obviously heron-like outline. 
Field Marks. As above. 
Nesting. In communities, in nests of sticks in trees or bushes over water. 
oe The southern and Gulf states, appearing in Canada only as an a¢cidental 
straggier. 
The American Egret, with the Snowy Heron and some other species of 
like character, constitute the source of the well known “aigrette”’ or 
“osprey ’’plumes of the millinery trade. As these plumes are grown only in 
the breeding season and as the immediate neighbourhood of the breeding 
rookeries is the only place where these wary birds can be easily approached 
it is evident that the harvesting of the beautiful crop is accompanied by 
great cruelty. The defence is often made that the plumes are picked up 
after being shed by the parent bird. This is a doubtful plea, for if any one 
will search domestic poultry yards for good shed feathers he will quickly 
realize that recovered ‘‘aigrette’’ plumes will probably be few in number 
and of poor quality. The plea is more doubtful as the rookeries are situated 
in dense subtropical swamps where all below is mud and water and the 
undergrowth prevents close, systematic search. The plume hunter usually 
hides in the rookery and with a small calibre rifle shoots the birds one by one 
until the flock is exterminated. The plumes are torn from the bodies 
which are left to rot on the ground. The remaining young starve in the 
nests above. Local laws have been passed against killing the birds but 
without avail. A few years ago the waters of Florida and the Gulf states 
were made beautiful with the forms of these immaculate birds; to-day 
they have almost lost one of their greatest attractions as the birds are 
approaching extinction. As a last resort, a federal law has been passed in 
the United States prohibiting the importation of feathers for millinery 
purposes. A similar law has been passed in Great Britain and the colonies. 
Egrets are not the only species that have seriously suffered: tern and other 
sea birds, Birds of Paradise, and many insectivorous forms have been 
victims. 
200. Little Biue Heron. FR.—LE PETIT HERON BLEU. Florida cerulea. L, 22. 
A beautiful and gracefully built small Heron. Adult has head and neck maroon-chestnut, 
remainder of body dark bluish-slate colour. Fine-pointed plumes over shoulders and on 
front of lower neck. Juvenile is almost pure white more or less washed with slate colour. 
