AEDEA. 167 



(i. p. 45), writes as follows : — " That the young of this species is not always white, and 

 the adult invariably plumbeous, as has generally been supposed, is conclusively proven 

 by the series we have been enabled to examine ; the true state of the case being that 

 the white and blue plumages, usually supposed to represent the young and adult 

 stages, are in reality ' dichromatic ' phases. The case, although parallel in its nature 

 to that of Dichromanassa rufa, differs in the circumstance that the white phase 

 is seldom perfectly developed, while intermediate specimens are very much more 

 numerous." We have also before us many parti-coloured examples, in blue plumage, 

 with an irregular admixture of white feathers. 



The Little Blue Heron is a summer visitor to the Gulf States of North America, 

 breeding along the Atlantic States as far north as New Jersey, and being occasionally 

 found in Massachusetts, sometimes wandering further inland. It breeds in numbers in 

 Florida, and is resident in that State, though many individuals migrate. Although 

 recorded from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico, as well as from inland 

 waters, there is no record of its nesting in that country or in any other part of Central 

 America, and it appears to be mostly a winter visitor. Richardson procured specimens 

 in June at Tampico, but all other recorded occurrences have taken place between 

 September and March, when it is often found abundantly. In Jamaica and Cuba it 

 is resident, breeding in more or less abundance. 



This small Heron is slow and deliberate in its movements, but very active in 

 catching its prey, which consists of crabs, small fishes, tadpoles, lizards, worms, and 

 insects. 



The nest is a flat structure of sticks, with a little moss added ; it is built on the tops 

 of cactus-bushes or in low shrubs ; but, according to Dr. Brewer, in its more northern 

 breeding-haunts taller trees are selected. The eggs are three or four in number, of a 

 somewhat deeper greenish-blue than in most Herons. 



6. Ardea mfa. 



U Aigrette rousse de la Louisiane, Daubent. PI. Enl. viii. t. 902^. 



Ardea rufa, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 54^ Salv. Ibis, 1889, p. 376 \ 



Demiegretta rufa, Salv. Ibis, 1866, p. 196 * ; Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 210 ' ; Mem. Bost. 



Soc. N. H. ii. p. 310° ; Bull. U. S. Nafc^ Mas. no. 4, p. 49' ; Sumichr. La Nat. v. p. 233 \ 

 Dichromanassa rufa, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvi. pp. 106 ', 271 " ; Gates, Cat. Eggs Brit. 



Mus. ii. p. 118". 

 Ardea pealei, Bp. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ii. p. 154^'"; Salv. Ibis, 1889, p. 376". 

 Demiegretta pealei, Salvin, Ibis, 1866, p. 196" ; Sumichr. La Nat. v. p. 233" ; Lawr. BuU. U. S. 



Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 49 ". 

 Ardea rufescens, A. O. IT. Check-1. N. Amer. Birds, 2nd ed. p. 72 ". 



Supra schistacea, plumis omamentalibus elongatis margaritaeeo-cinereis, apicem versus pallidioribus, brun- 

 nescentibus ; remigibns et rectrieibus schistaceis; pileo et collo undique vinaceo-cinnamomeis, vix lilaceo 

 lavatis, pilei et prsepectoris plumis elongatis, vix pallidioribus ; corpore reliquo subtus pallidiore schistaeeo ; 



