72 HERONS AND BITTERNS. 



in the character of the mediaeval nobles, hunt these birds with much 

 enthusiasm, save, indeed, the pelican, whose flesh is not edible. 



The herons form, in the order Grallatores and the tribe Culti- 

 rostres (knife-like beak), a family (Ardeidce) composed of numerous 

 species, several of which inhabit or frequent the marshes, lakes, and 

 streams of the region of the Steppes. 



" O'er yonder lake the while, 

 What bird about that wooded isle, 

 With pendant feet and pinions slow, 

 Is seen his ponderous length to row ? 

 Tis the tall heron's awkward flight, 

 His crest of black, and neck of white, 

 Far sunk his gray-blue wings between, 

 And giant legs of murky green."* 



The most remarkable species is the great white heron (Ardea 

 alba), or yellow-billed white egret, clothed in plumage of snowy white, 

 with a long yellow bill, long lank limbs, and black feet ; length about 

 forty inches. On the nape and the croup his feathers are long- and 

 flexible, wavy, and with tapering ends ; they are eagerly sought after 

 for purposes of adornment. We may also mention the great bittern, 

 the " bird of desolation" (Botauris stellaris) which the French 

 expressively name eau-m&re, or " water-mother," and which derives its 

 zoological appellation from the Latin words bos and taureau, in allusion 

 to the booming, bellowing sound of his hoarse voice. His plumage 

 is of a pale yellow, marked with brown and nest-coloured zig-zag 

 patches and shades. From the fulness of the feathers about his neck, 

 he presents a very quaint, and even ridiculous appearance ; but he is 

 a bird of courage, and even of ferocity, striking with keen bill at 

 the eyes of his antagonist. When attacked by dogs or other carni- 

 vora, he will throw himself upon the ground, and right with both 

 claws and bill unto the very last. 



The curleiu is allied to the ibis, differing from it only in secondary 

 particulars, and notably in the form of his bill, which is thinner, and 

 rounded in its whole length. His tail resembles the hen's ; the 



* Bishop Maiit, " British Months." 



