139 



THE REDDISH EGRET. 



~Ardea rufescens, Gmel. 



PLATE CCCLXXL— Adult and Young. 



While sailing towards the Florida Keys, my mind was agitated with anti- 

 cipations of the delight I should experience in exploring a region whose 

 productions were very imperfectly known. Often did I think of the Heron 

 named after Titian Peale, by my learned friend the Prince of Musignano. 

 Mr. Peale had procured only a single specimen, and in the winter season, 

 but whether or not the species was abundant on the Keys of Florida 

 remained to be discovered. No sooner had I been landed and formed an 

 acquaintance with Mr. Egan the pilot, who was well acquainted with the 

 haunts of many of the birds of those islands, than I asked him respecting 

 the various Herons which might be found there or on the shores of the 

 mainland. Before answering me, he counted his fingers slowly, and then 

 said that he could recollect only "twelve sorts;" "but," added he, "these 

 birds change their colours so curiously, that it is past wonder with me to 

 believe that any one man could know them without watching them as I have 

 done for many years." I then inquired if I was in good time to procure all 

 the sorts which he knew. He answered in the affirmative; but felt some 

 doubt as to my procuring the eggs of one kind at least, which breed earlier 

 than the rest, and was pure white from the shell, and the largest of all. 

 Thinking the species to which he alluded might be the Ardea alba of 

 Linn-eus, I asked if it had long thread-like feathers over the tail during the 

 breeding season. "Oh no, Sir," said he, "it never has; it is as tall as your- 

 self, and when you see some on the wing, you will be pleased, for their 

 wings are as large as those of the Brown Pelican. The one I guess you 

 mean, mostly goes farther to the eastward to breed, along with a very small 

 one, also always white, with the feathers over the tail as you say, and curled 

 upwards. These are the only three sorts that are white." I begged him to 

 describe the colours of the others, which he did so well that I recognised 

 ten species in all; but the large white one, and another of a grey and purple 

 colour, were unknown to me, and I told him so, stating at the same time 

 how anxious I was to procure them if possible. "If possible! nothing in 

 the world can be more easy, for if they have no eggs left, they have young 



