KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 249 
ARDETTA NEOXENA Cory. 
Cory’s Bittern.* 
Top of the head, back, and tail dark greenish black, show- 
ing a green gloss when held in the light. Sides of the head 
and throat rufous chestnut; the feathers on the back of 
the neck showing greenish black tips; breast and under parts 
nearly uniform chestnut, shading into dull black on the 
sides; wing coverts dark rufous chestnut; all the remiges 
entirely slaty plumbeous ; under tail coverts dull black. 
Wing, 4.30; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, 1.80. 
This interesting little Bittern was described by me in 1886 from a speci- 
men taken in the Everglades of Florida. Since then a dozen or more 
specimens have been secured, most of them from Florida, but one was taken 
near Toronto, and another in Michigan. It is probably not uncommon in 
some localities, but its retiring disposition makes it seem rare, as it is seldom 
seen. 
SuspramMity ARDEINE. Herons anp Ecrets. 
Genus ARDEA Linn. 
Supcenus ARDEA, 
ARDEA OCCIDENTALIS 4ud. 
Great White Heron. 
Adult: General plumage entirely white, bill yellow; upper part of the leg near the feath- 
ers, and soles of the feet yellow; the lower part of the leg from the knee to the foot (tarsus) yellow. 
Length about 50; Wing about 18.50 to 20; Bill, 6.50; Tarsus, 8.50. 
* When I described this bird in 1886 I gave itno English name, simply calling it ~eoxeza (new and strange). The com- 
mittee of the American Ornithologists’ Union have since done me the honor of giving it my name. . 
