BIRDS OP PENNSYLVANIA. 



196. Ardea egretta. GMEL. 



American Egret; Large White Crane. 



DESCRIPTION. 



The plumage of this bird is entirely white ; in the breeding season the adults have 

 the backs ornamented with long hair-like plumes, frequently so long that they 

 touch the ground when the bird stands erect ; legs and feet black ; eyes bright yel- 

 low ; bill yellow, and about five inches long; point of upper mandible black ; meas- 

 ures, from tip to tip of wings, about five feet. 



Hob. Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon 

 south to Patagonia ; casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. 



This beautiful bird, now chiefly found in the Southern States, where 

 it is rapidly being exterminated by the heartless and money-loving 

 plume-hunters, is a rare migrant along our rivers. It occurs in this 

 State, according to my observation, only in the late summer and au- 

 tumn, when straggling individuals are sometimes taken. In former 

 years, this species is said to have reared its young in Pennsylvania. 



FOOD. 



197. Ardea candidissima. GMEL. 



Snowy Heron. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Occiput much crested ; scapular plumes reaching to the end of the tail ; lower neck 

 furnished with long plumes ; plumage pure white ; bill black, yellow at base ; legs 

 black ; toes and lower posterior part of tarsus yellow ; iris yellow. 



Length, 24 inches; extent, about 38 inches; wing, 10.20; tarsus, 3.80; bill above, 

 3. 15 inches. 



Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from Long Island and Oregon south to 

 Buenos Ayres ; casual on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. 



This beautiful Heron is found most plentifully in the Southern 

 States, where it breeds in company with other species. Solitary indi- 

 viduals are sometimes found in this locality during the late summer 

 or early autumn. Nuttall says : Ck Its food, as usual, consists of small 

 crabs, worms, snails, frogs and lizards, to which fare it also adds at 



