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THE REDDISH EGRET. 



Arbea rufescens, Gmel. 



PLATE COL VI. Adult and Young. 



While sailing towards the Florida Keys, my mind was agitated with 

 anticipations of the delight I should experience in exploring a region 

 whose productions were very imperfectly known. Often did I think of 

 the Heron named after Titian Peale, by my learned friend the Prince 

 of Musignano. Mr Peale had procured only a single specimen, and in 

 the winter season, but whether or not the species was abundant on the 

 Keys of Florida remained to be discovered. No sooner had I been landed 

 and formed an acquaintance with Mr Eg an, the pilot of whom I have 

 often spoken, who was well acquainted with the haunts of many of the 

 birds of those islands, than I asked him respecting the various Herons 

 which might be found there or on the shores of the mainland. Before an- 

 swering me, he counted his fingers slowly, and then said that he could 

 recollect only " twelve sorts ;" " but," added he, " these birds change 

 their colours so curiously, that it is past wonder with me to believe that 

 any one man could know them without watching them as I have done for 

 many years." I then inquired if I was in good time to procure all the 

 sorts which he knew. He answered in the affirmative ; but felt some 

 doubt as to my procuring the eggs of one kind at least, which breed 

 earlier than the rest, and was pure white from the shell, and the largest 

 of all. Thinking the species to which he allTxded might be the Ardea 

 alba of LiNN^us, I asked if it had long thread-like feathers over the tail 

 during the breeding season. " Oh no. Sir," said he, " it never has ; it is 

 as tall as yourself, and when you see some on the wing, you will be pleased, 

 for their wings are as large as those of the Brown Pelican. The one I guess 

 you mean, mostly goes farther to the eastward to breed, along with a very 

 small one, also always white, with the feathers over the tail as you say, 

 and curled upwards. These are the only three sorts that are white." 

 I begged him to describe the colours of the others, which he did so well 

 that I recognised ten species in all ; but the large white one, and another 

 of a grey and purple colour, were unknown to me, and I told him so, 

 stating at the same time how anxipus I was to procure them if possible. 



