HERONS 



(194) Ardea herodias herodias 



(Linn.) (Lat., a heron). 



GREAT BLUE HERON ; 

 "BLUE CRANE." ^rfi.— Plum- 

 age as shown, this being the perfect 

 dress attained only after the third 

 year. Int. — Without phimes on 

 head, back or breast; whole top of 

 the head blackish; whole plumage 

 paler and rather tinged with rusty 

 on the back. L., 48.00; Ex., 70.00; 

 W., 19.00; T., 7.50; Tar., 7.00; 

 B., 5-50. 



Range — Breeds throughout United 

 States and southern Canada. Win- 

 ters in southern United States. 



(194b) A. h. ward! Ridgway 



WARD'S HERON. Slightly 



larger and with darker neck. Fla. 

 and the Gulf coast to Texas. 



Blue Heron, which is a familiar species in all parts of the 

 United States. 



GREAT BLUE HERONS are very commonly, but of 

 course erroneously, called Cranes. They are generally seen 

 only at a distance, for they are always wary. They are not 

 often flushed at close range, for their height allows them to 

 see any one approaching while they are yet far away. They 

 are less gregarious than most herons, Ijut even they often 

 nest in small colonies. As a rule they locate their nests, 

 mere platforms of sticks, in the tops of tall trees in swamps. 



Like all herons, their supply of patience is unlimited; they 

 can and will stand absolutely motionless for very long periods 

 until fish, frog, newt, or insect comes ^'^'ithin striking distance. 

 A coiled spring could not impart more rapid motion to their 

 spear-like bills than that produced by the long, sinuous neck 

 as they make a lightning-like dart for their quarry. While 

 these herons might do considerable damage in a hatchery if 



