Herons 139 



the neck. The interior of the pouch is in communication with the air sacs 

 of the neck ; it is therefore filled and emptied through the bronchi. 



" By far the greater number of nests on Phcenix Island contained a single white 

 egg about as large as a hen's; some nests, however, contained two eggs." Mr. 

 Lister also mentions seeing the Frigate-birds drinking from the fresh-water 

 lagoons. As they came "sweeping down to the surface, they scooped up the 

 water with the lower mandible." 



THE HERON TRIBE 



(Suborder Ardece) 



The second suborder of the Ciconiiformes, or Stork-like birds, embraces the 

 Herons and their immediate relatives. They are at once distinguished from 

 the group last considered by their very long legs, which adapt them to wading 

 rather than swimming, although they can all swim to a limited extent when forced 

 to do so. A further distinguishing mark is afforded by the fact that the toes are 

 not completely webbed, and that powder-downs are always present. The sub- 

 order may perhaps be best divided into four families as follows: the Ardeidce, 

 which includes the Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, etc. ; the Cochleariidce, including the 

 American Boat-bills; the Balcenicipitid& t embracing the anomalous Shoe-bill; 

 and the Scopidce, for the almost equally remarkable Umbrette, the latter two 

 being African. 



THE HERONS 



(Family Ardeidce) 



Beyond the fact already pointed out of their resemblance to the Cranes and 

 Rails, the Herons form a relatively compact and generally well-known group. 

 They have long or moderately long legs, the front of the metatarsus being covered 

 with scute-like plates. There are always four toes, the hind toe being on the same 

 plane as the others, and the claw of the middle one is comb-like on the inner side. 

 The body is thin and compressed, the neck usually long, and the bill long and 

 pointed, with all the outlines nearly straight. The wings are relatively large, but 

 are very much rounded from the fact that the second, third, and fourth quills 

 are of nearly the same length. The lores and a space about the eyes are bare. 

 "The general plumage, which is very variable in color, is soft and loose; the 

 feathers on the crown of the head, back, and upper breast being frequently 

 elongated." The peculiar powder-down patches on the rump, abdomen, and 

 elsewhere are always present and constitute a well-known character of the group. 



In the matter of distribution, Herons are almost cosmopolitan, being, however, 

 most abundant in tropical and subtropical regions. They are inhabitants for 

 the most part of swamps and marshes, a few only preferring the seacoast. They 

 are often gregarious, feeding and nesting in communities, where they build large, 

 bulky nests, frequently in trees. They may often be seen walking about in or 

 along marshes with a slow and measured gait; when on the wing their progress 



