OF ORNITHOLOGY 111 



esting group, also a very ancient one. Its members are dis- 

 tributed all over North America, though preferring the warm 

 tropical regions of the continent. They are equally abund- 

 ant along the seashores and inland about the rivers and ponds. 

 They feed upon fishes and small reptiles, and nest generally in 

 trees. They are familiar objects in nearly every part of North 

 America. Though differing somewhat form the Herons pro- 

 per, the Bitterns are still true Herons and entitled to a sub- 

 family by themselves. The family has : Bill much longer 

 than the head, very nearly or quite straight, compressed, 

 grooved, and with a sharp-pointed tip ; nostril slits near the 

 upper base of the bill ; head flattened, loral spaces naked ; 

 tarsus naked, reticulated (but scutellate in front), long and 

 slender, toes fitted for wading and with a small, evident basal 

 web — claw of the middle toe like the teeth of a comb beneath ; 

 wings and tail much as in the previous families — the feather 

 plumes of the tail are characteristic of many species of this 

 family. Feather plumes often occur also on the hind head and 

 front breast of many species. Neck long and small. The 

 tracts of what are termed " powder-down " are numerous and 

 extensive, and in some species largely developed. The char- 

 acter of these downy tracts needs special study — but the stu- 

 dent will not want for characters to define the family, which 

 has two sub-families, The general appearance of shape and 

 plumage alone would almost distinguish them. 



Sub-family a ARDEINiB True Herons. 



Tail with twelve feathers ; the outer toe is not shorter than 

 the inner one. 



The True Herons are, generally, more abundant at or near 

 the sea-coast. They build in trees, and their eggs are blue. 

 They generally seek escape by immediate flight when alarmed. 



Genera, Ardea, The Great Blue Heron and 2 allies. 

 Herodias, The Great White Egret. 

 Garzetta, The Snowy Heron. 

 Dichromanassa, Peale's Egret. 

 Hydranassa, The Louisiana Heron. 



