93 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



COCOI HERON 



Ardea cocoi 



Above grey; head, wings, and tail slatey black; beneath white; 

 neck and sides striped with black ; length 36 inches, wing 18 inches, 

 tail 7 inches. Sexes alike. 



This fine Heron is found throughout South and 

 some parts of North America. In size, form, and 

 colour it closely resembles the Common Heron of 

 Europe ; in flight, language, and feeding-habits the 

 two species are identical, albeit inhabiting regions 

 so widely separated. In the southern part of South 

 America it is not seen associating with its fellows, 

 nor does it breed in heronries ; but this may be 

 owing to the circumstance that in the temperate 

 countries it is very thinly distributed; and it is* 

 highly probable, I think, that in the hotter regions, 

 where it is more abundant, its habits may not appear 

 so unsocial. Though they are always seen fishing 

 singly, they pair for life, and male and female are 

 never foimd far apart, but haunt the same stream 

 or marsh all the year round. A?ara says that in 

 Paraguay, where they are rare, they go in pairs and 

 breed in trees. On the pampas it makes its solitary 

 nest amongst the rushes, and lays three blue eggs. 



The following general remarks on the Heron 

 apply chiefly to the Ardea cocoi, and to some extent 

 also to other species of the Heron family. 



I have observed Herons of several species a good 



