396 OKNITHOI.OGY AND OOLOGY. 



SUB-ORDER HERODIONES. 



Bill generally thick at the base and much longer than the head; frontal feathers 

 with a rounded outline; lores, and generally the region round the eye (sometimes 

 most of the head), naked 



The primary characteristic of the Ilerodiones, though physiological rather than 

 zoological, is of the highest importance; the young are horn weak and imperfect, 

 and are reared in the nest, being fed directly by the parent until able to take care of 

 themselves, when they are generally abandoned. In the GraUa, on the contrary, 

 the young run about freely, directly after being hatched, and are capable of securing 

 food for themselves under the direction of the parent. 



The chief zoological character (not, however, entirely without exception) is to be 

 found in the bill, which is generally very large, much longer than the head, and 

 thickened at the base so as to be nearly or quite as broad and high as the skull ; the 

 lores are almost always naked, or, if covered, it is with feathers of a different kind 

 from those on the rest of the body ; the hind toe in most genera is lengthened and 

 on a level with the anterior, so as to be capable of grasping; sometimes, however, it 

 is elevated and quite short. — Baibd. 



Family ARDEID^. The Herons. 



Bill conical, acuminate, compressed, and acute; the edges usually nicked at the 

 end; the frontal feathers generally extending beyond the nostrils; tarsi scutellate 

 anteriorly; the middle toe connected to the outer by a basal web; claws acute; the 

 edge of the middle one serrated or pectinated on its inner edge. 



GARZETTA, Bojjapaete. 



Garzetta, Bonaparte, Consp., II. (1866) 118. (Type Ardea garzetta, L., 

 whether of Eaup, 1829 ?) 



Bill slender; outlines nearly straight to near the tip, when they are about 

 equally convex; middle toe more than half the tarsus; tarsi broadly scutellate ante- 

 riorly; tibia denuded for about one-half; outer toe longest; head with a full occipital 

 crest of feathers having the webs decomposed, hair-like; feathers of lower part of 

 throat similar; middle of back with long plumes reaching to the tail, recurving at 

 tip; these plumes and the crest apparently permanent; lower part of neck behind, 

 bare of feathers; colors pure-white in all ages. 



GAEZEITA CANDIDISSIMA. — Bonaparte. 

 The Snowy Heron. 



Ardea candidisdma, Graelin. Syst. Nat., I. (1788) 633. Wils. Am. Orn., VIL 

 (1813) 120. Nutt. Man., II. (1834) 49. And. Om. Biog., III. (1836) 317; V. 

 (1839) 606. 



Garzetta candidistima, Bonaparte. Consp. (1855), 119. 



