( 4* ) 



ORD. I. GEN. II. HERON. 



S P E. VII. EGRET. 



PL 150. 



Ardea garzetta. Lin. Syft. I. p. 237. 

 L' Aigrette. Brif. Orn, V. p. 43 1. 



This elegant bird meafures twenty-four inches from the point of the bill to 

 the end of the tail, or to the end of the legs thirty-two, and weighs about a 

 pound. The bill is of a greenifh black : the eyes yellow : the fpace about the 

 eyes naked, and green : the whole plumage, when the bird is at maturity, is of 

 a refplendent whitenefs : the legs green, but fometimes covered with a black 

 fcaly film, which may be eafily rubbed off. On the back of the head is a 

 beautiful creft, compofed of fome Ihort feathers, and two (lender ones, nearly 

 five inches long, hanging down behind : the feathers on the breaft, and the fca- 

 pulars, are very delicate, long, (lender, unwebbed, and hanging in the lighten: 

 and loofeft manner. 



From ancient records the egret appears to have been very plentiful once in 

 England, but is met with very rarely at prefent. It frequents watery places^ 

 like others of the genus, and, like them, feeds on fi(h. 



