KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 251 
white; back and upper parts bluish slate or gray. The immature birds show a great variety of 
color in the plumage. 
Length, 48; Wing, 20; Tail, 7; Tarsus, 6.50; Bill, 5.50. 
Ardea herodias. 
It ranges throughout North America from the far North southward to 
the West Indies and South America. It is supposed to breed on the At- 
lantic coast from Florida northward, although I*have never seen this species 
in Florida in the breeding season. 
The nest, which is built in a tree, is a large affair composed of sticks. 
The eggs are from three to four in number and pale blue. 
Suscenus HERODIAS Boz. 
ARDEA EGRETTA Gmei. 
American Egret. 
Adult: Entire plumage white, having in the breeding season long graceful plumes on the 
back, which extend beyond the tail; bill yellow; legs and feet black; lores pale orange edged 
with greenish. 
Length, 38; Wing, 16; Tarsus, 5.80; Bill, 4.80. 
This species ranges throughout tropical and temperate America, having 
been taken on the Atlantic coast as far north as New Jersey and Nova 
