220 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
THE GREAT WHITE HERON. 
Ardea leuce. 
PLATE LXXXI. FIG. 180. 
Great White Heron. PENNANT, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. -145. 
Ardea egret fa. Wilson, Am Orn. Vol. 7, p. 10G, pi. 61, fig. 4. 
A leuce, Illiger. A alba, Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol 2, p. 304. 
A. egrtlla. Bonaparie. Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p 97. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol.2, p. 47. 
A. id. Audubon, 13. of A. Vol. C, p. 132, pL. 370. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 288. 
Characteristics. Snowy white. Bill yellow ; legs black : no crest. Long pendant plumes 
on the back, extending over the tail. Young, without the pendant 
plumes. Length, 40'0. 
Description. Characters sufficiently detailed in the specific phrase. The general snowy 
whiteness is frequently found to have a tinge of yellow. The highly prized dorsal train dis¬ 
appears after incubation, and, according to Mr. Audubon, reappears in all its graceful length 
in the spring. 
Length, 40'0-4S - 0. Alar extent, 60-0. 
This showy species inhabits from the equator to 43° north ; this State being its northern 
boundary. It breeds in the adjoining State of New Jeiscy, and may probably do so in this 
Slate. They reach us about the middle of May,-and leave for the south early in the autumn. 
Their food consists of frogs, salamanders, mice, moles, snakes, etc. Eggs two or three, 
pale blue. It has hitherto been confounded with the A. alba of Europe, to which it is 
closely allied. 
