Heron. GRALLATORES. ARDEA. 9 
Genus ARDEA. HERON. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill longer than the head, higher than broad, straight, 
compressed, sharp-pointed, of mean strength. Base of both 
mandibles covered with a delicate cere. Mandibles of near- 
ly equal length; maxilla laterally sulcated for about two- 
thirds of its length; culmen rounded; tip drawn to a point, 
and very slightly inclined, emarginated ; tomia of maxilla 
equal, serrated towards the tip. Mandibles of equal depth, 
tomia drawn inwards, very sharp, and serrated near the 
point. Angle of maxilla with the culmen compressed, more 
or less ascending. Lores naked. 
Nostrils at a short distance from the base of the bill, and 
placed in the lateral furrow; longitudinal and narrow ; per- 
vious, and partly covered with a naked membrane. 
Tongue reaching to about half the length of the bill, nar- 
row, membranous, and sharp-pointed. Feet with the tarsus 
considerably longer than the middle toe; toes four, rather 
long, slender, congruous, all unequal ; the middle one con- 
nected, as far as the first phalange, to the exterior by a 
membrane; interior one nearly free. Hind toe about half 
the length of the middle one, articulated interiorly upon the 
same plane, and resting entirely upon the ground. Tibia 
naked for a considerable space above the tarsal joint. Nails 
falcate, that of the hind toe the longest of all; that of the 
middle toe pectinated. Front of the tarsus clypeate ; hinder 
part of the tarsus reticulated. Upper part of the toes scu- 
tellated. 
Wings ample, rounded ; the second and third quills the 
longest. Tail short and even. Neck covered with short 
close-set feathers; and, in adults, towards the base of the 
fore part of the neck, rise long acuminate pendulous feathers. 
Feathers on the back elongated, silky, linear, or laciniated, 
with decomposed barbs and barbules. 
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