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KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 255 
mixed with dull white; throat white, mixed with reddish brown and purple, heaviest on the lower 
part, forming a stripe continuing down the front of the neck; under parts white; under tail 
coverts slightly edged with bluish; legs yellowish green; iris red. 
Length, 25; Wing, 10.50; Tail, 3.50; Tarsus, 4; Bill, 4. 
Ardea tricolor ruficollis. 
Is common in the Gulf States, extending to Mexico, Central America, 
and the West Indies, accidental northward to New Jersey. 
It is a common species in Florida, breeding in bushes near water. The 
eggs are usually four or five, pale blue in color. 
