GREAT WHITE HERON. 551 



at the two extremities where there are large angular scales. Toes of mo- 

 derate length, rather slender, soutellate above, flattened, and reticularly 

 granulate beneath, the thick margins covered with small scales, the sides 

 with larger ; the third and fourth toes connected at the base by a reticu- 

 lated web ; the third toe much longer than the fourth, which is consider- 

 ably longer than the second, the first about half the length of the third ; 

 claws of moderate size, strong, compressed, curved, obtuse, the first 

 largest, the third next in size, and with an inner regularly pectinated edge, 

 all more or less convex beneath. 



Space between the bill and eye, and around the latter, as well as at 

 the angle of the mouth bare, as is the lower half of the tibia. Plumage 

 soft, the edges of the feathers loose and blended. Feathers of the upper 

 part of the head and hind neck elongated and tapering ; of the back long 

 and loose, of the rump soft and downy ; scapulars very long, rather com- 

 pact, the upper loose. Feathers of the fore neck elongated, of the sides 

 of the breast anteriorly very long, loose and tapering ; of the rest of the 

 lower parts broader but pointed ; of the tibia shortish. Wings large, 

 rounded ; primaries curved, strong, broad, tapering, the three first slightly 

 sinuate on the inner web ; third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, 

 third almost as long as fourth, first a quarter of an inch shorter; secondaries 

 very large, broad and rounded, the inner extending as far as the longest 

 primary when the wing is closed. Tail short, slightly rounded, of twelve 

 broad, rounded feathers. 



Bill yellow, the upper mandible dusky green at its base ; loral space 

 yellowish-green ; orbital space light blue. Iris bright yellow. Tibia and 

 hind part of tarsus yellow ; fore part of tibia and toes olivaceous, sides of 

 the latter greenish-yellow ; claws light brown. The whole of the plumage 

 is pure white. 



Length to end of tail 54 inches, to end of wings 54, to end of claws 

 70; extent of wings 83; wing from flexure 19; tail 7; bill along the 

 back 6|, along the edges 8| ; bare part of tibia 6 ; tarsus Si ; middle 

 toe 41§, its claw ig. Weight 9i lb. 



The Female is smaller, but similar to the male. The dimensions of 

 an individual were as follows. 



Length to end of tail 50, to end of wings 50, to end of claws 65 ; 

 extent of wings 75 ; wing from flexure 18| ; tail 6| ; bill along the back 

 5{§, along the edges 7|, its depth at base li*^ ; tarsus 7^ ; middle toe 

 4i, its claw T-'j. Weight 7i lb.' 



