GRALL.E- GRUtD.-E - ARDEA. 
221 
THE WHITE-CRESTED HERON. 
Akdea candidissima. 
PLATE LXXXII. FIC. 187. 
(CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 
Arden candidissima, Gmelin. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 7. p. 120, pi 62, fig. 4 (adult). 
A id. Bonaparte, Annals Lyceum N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 305. Nuttall, Manual Ornith. Vol. 2, p. 49. 
A. id., Snowy lleron . Audubon, B. of A. Vol. G, p. 163, pi. 374. Gikaud, Birds of Long island, p 283. 
Characteristics. Crested. Snowy white. Bill and legs black ; toes yellow. Young, 
slightly crested, and without the dorsal train. Length, 24'0. 
Description. Bill straight, tapering, 4-3 long. The feathers on the head form a loose 
crest, 4 0 long : a similar tuft on the breast. The adult has a dorsal train of long silky re¬ 
curved plumes, scarcely reaching beyond the tail, which is very short and slightly rounded, 
of twelve feathers. 
Color. The bare space on the side of the head, and edges of the eye-lids, yellow. Ge¬ 
neral plumage of a snowy whiteness; but in the specimen examined, a slight tinge of yellowish 
at the origin of the dorsal train, and on the feathers of the thighs. 
Length, 22*0- 26•(). Alar extent, 3fi'0-38 - 0. 
This southern species extqnds its migrations as far east as Massachusetts, and is certainty 
known to breed in New-Jerscy, if not in this State. It is often seen on our coast, where it 
is familiarly known as the White Puke. It feeds on fish, crabs, salamanders, and the seeds 
of aquatic plants. Eggs pale bluish green. It appears on this coast in May, and leaves us 
in September. It is a constant, resident from Florida southwardly, and its geographical range 
is comprised between the tropics and the 43d parallel of latitude. 
