Food. 
Nest, &c. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
20 GRALLATORES. ARDEA. HEROon. 
est estimation, has failed in pointing out the distimctive cha- 
racters of the two species, and considers them in his Manual 
as identical, in which he has been followed by SrerHENs 
and others. Wacier, however, whose skill in detecting, 
and accuracy in delineating, specific distinctions, merit the 
highest praise, has marked, with much precision, the charac- 
ters of each; and Wi son, who describes the Ardea Egretta 
in his admirable Ornithology of North America, states his 
conviction, from a comparison of the characters of each, that 
the European must be a distinct species from that which he 
describes. The White Heron inhabits the eastern parts of 
Europe, and is found in abundance upon the shores of the 
Caspian and Black Seas. It is plentiful in Turkey, Hun- 
gary, Russia, and Poland; and is also met with in Sardinia 
and Greece. It does not appear that its geographical distri- 
bution extends to Africa, the White Heron of that country, 
frequently confounded with it, being a different species, de- 
scribed by Wacter under the title of Ardea flavirostris. 
In the mature state, the Great White Heron is adorned with 
long plumes, which form a train, hanging over and beyond 
the tail: the feathers which compose it take their rise on the 
back, from behind the shoulders, and consist each of a strong 
shaft, with long hair-like laciniated silky webs. These fea- 
thers, as well as those of the Lesser Egret (Ardea garzcita), 
were formerly in great request as plumes for the head, and 
to adorn other parts of dress, and are still much worn by 
the Turks, and other eastern nations. The bird, when ir- 
ritated or frightened, is in the habit of erecting these long 
dorsal feathers. Its manners greatly resemble those of its 
congeners, and its food is similar, consisting of fish, reptiles, 
insects, &c. It is stated to build its nest in the marshes, 
among reeds, and other aquatic herbage, and not upon trees, 
and to lay four or five large bluish-green eggs. 
Puate IV. The whole of the body is pure white. A short 
crest depends from the occiput. In the adult bird, and 
