FAM. XLV. HERONS, EGRETS, ETC. 



269 



The young are white, with bluish-slate-colored tips to the 

 primaries and greenish-yellow legs and feet. Of course speci- 

 mens with all gradations of color, intermediate between that of 

 the young and adult, can be found. The young of this species 

 can at some distance be distinguished from the snowy herons 

 by their greenish instead of black legs. 



Length, 20-30 ; wing, 10 (9-11) ; tail, i\ ; tarsus, 3| ; culmen, 2f-3|. 

 Eastern United States; breeding north to Illinois and New Jersey, wander- 

 ing north to Nova Scotia, and wintering from Florida to northern South 

 America. 



12. Green Heron (201. Ardea virhcens). — A common, small, 

 dark-chestnut-bodied, greenish backed and crowned heron, 

 with much white in streaks 

 down the front from chin to 

 the lower breast. This soli- 

 tary heron is found more 

 frequently in wooded bor- 

 ders of streams and ponds 

 than in open places, and is 

 most active in the morning 

 and evening. (Poke.) 



Length, 15J-22|; wing, 7^ 

 (6J-8) ; tarsus, 2 ; culmen, 2-2J. 

 Temperate North America ; breed- 

 ing north to Ontario and Oregon, 

 and wintering from riorida to 

 northern South America. 



13. Black-crowned Night _ 

 Heron (202. Nyctlcorax nyctl- ^^^^^ ^eron 

 corax ncevius). — A common, 



stout-billed, night-flying, bluish-gray heron, with the crown and 

 back greenish-black. The crown is furnished with two or 

 three slender plumes. Young with much of mottled browns on 

 the back and no plumes on the head. After sunset, these birds 

 leave their roosts to feed, giving out occasionally their harsh 

 quawJc. They are very social, roosting together in hundreds. 



