608 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



generally so abundant. In their habits they are similar to the 

 preceding species, but spend less time upon the wing, and become 

 apparently more attached to a circumscribed neighborhood for the 

 season. Occasionally specimens are found throughout the winter. 

 Feed on fish generally, but go 'snail-hunting' frequently." 



A. candisfsiraa, Gmel. {Qarzetta, Bonstp.) Little White Egret. Snowy 

 Egret. Snowy Heron. 



Legs black and yellow; plumage pure white at all times; 

 head and neck with long plumes in the breeding season. 

 Length, 24 inches ; tail, 4 inches ; bill, 3 inches. 



"Arrives about the 20th of April, if the weather is moderate, 

 and is equally numerous throughout the State, though nowhere 

 at all abundant. Annually two or three pairs visit the Delaware, 

 about Trenton, and sometimes alight on the gravel-beds of the 

 ' river. They are thus seen at all parts of the State. They build 

 in high trees, in secluded positions, raising but the one brood. 

 Are extremely shy, and feeding almost always in open meadows, 

 are diflBcult to approach. They associate with allied species, 

 more particularly the A. herodias. Feed upon fish and frogs. 

 Strictly inoffensive." 



A. tricolor, var. ruflcoUie, Gosse. Louisiana Heron. 



Moderate crest on back of head ; upper parts bluish slate ; 

 plumes maroon purplish; white streaks on fore-neck; tfain 

 light drab ; lower parts white.- Length, 23 to 28 inches ; tarsus, 

 4 inches. Southern ; occasional in New Jersey. 



A. virescens, L. {Butorides, Bonap.) . Green Heron. 



Tibia bare, one inch or less ; bill more than thrice the length 

 of its height ; crown, back and wings lustrous dark green ; neck 

 purplish cinnamon, crested; back with lengthened feathers. 

 Length, 18 inches; bill, 2J inches. 



" The most abundant of all the Ardeidse in New Jersey. Is gen- 

 erally known by either one or the other of the meaningless names 

 of 'shite-poke' or ' fly-up-the-creek.' Arrives in. May, and 

 remains with us till October. Equally abundant ' up hill and 

 down dale,' and in the driest positions is occasionally found in 

 numbers. Breeds generally in maples or birches that skirt some 

 small stream, generally raising but the one brood. Feed on fish 

 exclusively when haunting water, but on the uplands devour 

 large quantities of insects. Strictly inoffensive." 



