36 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



white in colour of plumage, has a golden yellow eye 

 and yellow bill, black legs, and yellow feet. During 

 the breeding season, both males and females develop 

 exceedingly fine recurved plumes growing from the 

 back and falling over the wings. These are known 

 to commerce as "aigrettes," and in consequence of 

 their popularity among ladies of fashion this beauti- 

 ful bird is rapidly becoming extinct. See Plate 33, 

 Fig. 193. 



The American Egret is also white, but has black 

 legs ►and feet. Its plumes grow from the back, like 

 those of the Snowy Egret, but are straight instead of 

 recurved. In habits the Herons are a very homogene- 

 ous family. All secure their prey by stealth, or stalk- 

 ing, standing quietly in the water until a fish ap- 

 proaches, when they quickly dart out the long neck 

 and transfix it with the powerful beak. All are 

 strong flyers, though their feathers are rather loosely 

 set on the body. The vertebrse of the neck are joined 

 so as to form the letter S in the resting attitude of the 

 bird, the spring giving added power to the forward 

 stroke of the neck when thrust suddenly out. These 

 birds are determined fighters, and when wounded 

 must be approached with care in order to avoid the 

 rapid thrusts of the sharp bill, which can inflict ter- 

 rible injury. They seem to strike preferably at the 

 eyes, and many a dog has been blinded by a Heron 

 that had been partly disabled by a shot from his 

 master's gun. 



In the feudal days of England, hunting Herons 

 by means of the Peregrine Falcon was a favourite 

 sport with lords and ladies. A party would set forth 



