294 GREAT HERON. 



surrounded by a narrow silvery ring ; eyelid light blue ; the whole head 

 and greater part of the neck, is of a deep purplish brown ; from the 

 crested hind-head shoot three narrow pointed feathers, that reach nearly 

 six inches beyond the eye ; lower part of the neck, breast, belly and 

 whole body, a deep slate color, with lighter reflections; the back is 

 covered with long, flat, and narrow "feathers, some of which are ten 

 inches long, and extend four inches beyond the tail; the breast is also 

 ornamented with a number of these long slender feathers ; legs blackish 

 green ; inner side of the middle claw pectinated. The breast and sides 

 of the rump, under the plumage, are clothed with a mass of yellowish 

 white unelastic cottony down, similar to that in most of the tribe, the 

 uses of which are not altogether understood. Male and female alike in 

 color. 



The young birds of the first year are destitute of the purple plumage 

 on the head and neck. 



Species III. AEDEA MERODIAS. 



GREAT HERON. 



[Plate LXV. Fig. 2.] 



Le Heron hupp^ de Virginie, Bhiss. v., p. 416, 10. — Le Grand Heron W Amirique, 

 Bdpf. VII., p. 385. — Larger crested Heron, Catesb. App. pi. \0, fig. 1. — Lath. 

 Syn. III., p. %i.—Arct. Zool. No. 341. 



The history of this large and elegant bird having been long involved 

 in error and obscurity,* I have taken more than common pains to 

 present a faithful portrait of it in this place ; and to add to that every 

 fact and authentic particular relative to its manners which may be 

 necessary to the elucidation of the subject. 



The Great Heron is a constant inhabitant of the Atlantic coast 

 from New York to Florida ; in deep snows and severe weather seeking 

 the open springs of the cedar and cypress swamps, and the muddy 

 inlets occasionally covered by the tides. On the higher inland parts 

 of the country, beyond the mountains, they are less numerous ; and 



* Latham says of this species, that " all the upper parts of the body, the belly, 

 tail and legs are brown;" and this description has been repeated by every subse- 

 quent compiler. Buffon, with his usual eloquent absurdity, describes the Heron 

 as "exhibiting the picture of wretchedness, anxiety and indigence; condemned 

 to struggle perpetually with misery and want ; sickened with the restless cravings 

 of a famished appetite;" a description so ridiculously untrue, that, were it 

 possible for these birds to comprehend it, would excite the risibility of the whole 

 tribe. 



