541 
ARDEA. HERON. 
Generic Character, 
Rostrum capite longius, va- 
lidum, basi latum quam 
altum ; mandibula supe- 
riore fere rectum, acutum, 
sulcatum. 
Nares lateral es in sulcum 
sitae, membrana semi- 
clausse. 
Orhitce lorcrque nudae. 
Collum gracile, elongatum, 
basi pennis elongatis in- 
structum. 
Pedes graciles, tetradactyli, 
fissi, digiti exteriores basi 
membrana connexi ; 
medius margine interna di- 
latatus, pectinatus. 
Beale longer than the head, 
strong, the base broader 
than high ; the upper man- 
dible nearly straight, acute, 
and sulcated. 
Nostrils lateral, placed in a 
groove, and partly closed 
by a membrane. 
Orbits and lores naked. 
Neele slender, elongated, fur- 
nished at its base with 
elongated feathers. 
Pegs slender, four-toed, cleft, 
the outer toes connected at 
the base by a membrane ; 
the middle claw with its 
inner margin dilated and 
pectinated. 
Akdea. Linn., Gmel., Lath., Briss., Leach, Temm., Vieil., Cuv., 
Ray, 8^c. 
Cancrofagus. Briss. 
Ardeola. Ray., Briss. 
Botaurus. Briss. 
Egretta. Briss. 
IHE Herons reside on the banks of lakes and 
rivers, or in marshy places : their food consists of 
