86 



Though not forming a recognized systematic division of the Herons 

 there are several species showing pure white plumages, that are distinct 

 enough to warrant discussion. 



In some of these species, the Egrets, white is the adult plumage; 

 in others it is a dichromatic form, that is, the species occurs in two colour 

 phases, either of which is normal, and cannot be referred to either albinism 

 or melanism or to sex, age, or season. In still other species the white is 

 a plumage of juvenility. These white plumages were a source of con- 

 siderable confusion in identifying species until they were fully worked 

 out. All the White Herons are of southern distribution and are rare in 

 Canada. 



Genus — Herodias. Egrets. 



196. American Egret, fr. — l'aigrette blanche d'amerique. Herodias 

 egretta. L, 41. Almost as large as the Great Blue Heron, but always pure white. In 

 breeding season a cascade of some fifty fine straight plumes originates in middle back 

 region and festoons over lower back and tail. 



Distinctions. Size, colour, and obviously heron-like outline. 



Field Marks. As above. 



Nesting. In communities, in nests of sticks in trees or bushes over water. 



Distribution. The southern and Gulf states, appearing in Canada only as an 

 accidental straggler. 



The American Egret, with the Snowy Heron and some other species of 

 like character, constitute the source of the well known "aigrette" or 

 "osprey" plumes of the millinery trade. As these plumes are grown only 

 in the breeding season and as the immediate neighbourhood of the breeding 

 rookeries is the only place where these wary birds can be easily approached 

 it is evident that the harvesting of the beautiful crop is accompanied by 

 great cruelty. The defence is often made that the plumes are picked up 

 after being shed by the parent bird. This is a doubtful plea, for if any one 

 will search domestic poultry yards for good shed feathers he will quickly 

 realize that recovered "aigrette" plumes will probably be few in number 

 and of poor quality. The plea is more doubtful as the rookeries are situated 

 in dense subtropical swamps where all below is mud and water and the 

 undergrowth prevents close, systematic search. The plume hunter usually 

 hides in the rookery and with a small-calibre rifle shoots the birds one by 

 one until the flock is exterminated. The plumes are torn from the bodies 

 which are left to rot on the ground. The remaining young starve in the 

 nests above. Local laws have been passed against killing the birds but 

 without avail. A few years ago the waters of Florida and the Gulf states 

 were made beautiful with the forms of these immaculate birds; today 

 they have almost lost one of their greatest attractions as the birds are 

 approaching extinction. As it was found impossible to distinguish between 

 foreign and native plumes or prevent the traffic in the one while permitting 

 it in the other, a federal law was finally passed in the United States pro- 

 hibiting the importation of feathers for millinery purposes. Similar laws 

 have since been passed in Great Britain and her colonies. Egrets are not 

 the only species that have seriously suffered : Terns, and other Sea Birds, 

 Birds of Paradise, and many insectivorous forms have been victims. 



