250 7 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 
This species is resident in Florida, occurring most commonly in the 
southern part of the State. It has been recorded from Cuba and Jamaica. 
It is not common now and is becoming less so every year. The birds breed in 
colonies, the nest being a mass of sticks placed in mangrove trees. The 
eggs are usually from three to four, pale bluish in color. 
ARDEA WUERDEMANNI Baird. 
Wurdemann’s Heron. 
Adult: Head and upper neck white, the forehead showing blackish edges to the feathers 
and faint streaks of black on the back of the head; neck grayish purple; rest of plumage 
somewhat resembling the Great Blue Heron, but the markings are paler. 
Size about the same as Ardea occidentalis. 
This bird is probably merely a color phase of occzdentals. It is no- 
where common and is seen so seldom that it is doubtful if its true standing 
will ever be known; still the preponderance of opinion among naturalists 
seems to be that it is simply a color phase of occzdentalis and should not 
be recognized as a species. Nearly all of the specimens now in collections 
have been taken on the southwestern coast of Florida. 
ARDEA WARDI Ridgw. 
Ward’s Heron. 
Adult; Similar to the Great Blue Heron but somewhat larger, especially the bill. The legs 
are olive instead of black, as a rule; bill usually yellow, dusky on the top, asa rule, but some- 
times entirely yellow. 
Wing, 20.50; Tarsus, 8.75; Bill, 6.50 to 7. 
This species seems to be restricted to Florida; it breeds in communities, 
the eggs being apparently of the same color as those of the northern 
Blue Heron. 
ARDEA HERODIAS Zinn. 
Great Blue Heron. 
Crest lengthened; bill yellow, dark brown on top; legs and feet dark brown; soles of the 
feet yellow; astreak from the forehead to the middle of the crown white; sides of the crown 
and crest feathers black; neck grayish purple mixed with black and white; chin and part of the 
cheeks whitish, extending in a tawny line on the throat; neck plumes; belly black streaked with 
