HERONS 



(192) Ardea occidentalis Audu- 

 bon 



Xat., a heron; western). 



GREAT WHITE HERON. Larg- 

 est of our herons. Bill, iris, and legs 

 yellowish. Plumage pure white at 

 all ages. Adults with white plumes 

 on the back of the head and on the 

 breast. L., 50.00; W., 20.00; Tar., 

 8.50; B., 6.50. Nest — A platform 

 of twigs and sticks in mangroves; 

 nests in colonies; three or four pale 

 bluish eggs, 2.50x1.80. 



Range — Southern Fla. south to 

 Cuba, Jamaica and Yucatan. Cas- 

 ually north to the Anclote River on 

 the west coast and Micco on the 

 east coast. Not uncommon about 

 Cape Sable. 



croaking "qua, '^ the latter being uttered when they are 

 disturbed. Their flight is weak and listless; in fact, unless 

 very suddenly frightened, they rarely take wing. When 

 they do, it is usually just for a few yards, with fluttering 

 wings and clangling legs. 



CORY'S LEAST BITTERNS are still very imperfectly 

 known. About two dozen specimens have been captured, 

 none of which intergrade with the common species. Most 

 of these birds have been secured in Florida and in marshes 

 in southern Ontario. 



GREAT WHITE HERONS are the largest members of 

 this family, being an inch or two longer than the largest 

 of the Great Blue Herons, which they resemble in form. 

 While apparently not abundant anywhere, these beautiful 

 birds are not uncommon along the Gulf coast of southern 

 Florida. Their rude stick nests are usually built in man- 

 groves not more than five or ten feet up; otherwise their 

 nesting and habits do not chffer from those of the Great 



