490 PEALE’S EGRET HERON. 
longer, especially on the sides, and woolly at base: the tail- 
feathers are always rounded at the end; those of the lower 
parts of the body are longish, with the webs disjoined, and the 
barbs plumulose at base: the down is silky. 
The females are like the males; the young are different 
from the adults, only obtaining their full plumage after the 
third year. They moult annually. The adults are orna- 
mented by long slender feathers, which they lose in moulting, 
and do not acquire again for some time, when they resemble 
the young. 
These birds are remarkably dull: they inhabit marshes, or 
watch perched on trees near the water for their prey, which 
the conformation of their feet enables them to do with ease. 
They feed exclusively on animals, especially fishes and reptiles, 
but likewise large insects, and even small mammalia. They 
often stand motionless on the margins of ponds or marshes, 
concealed by the tall grass and weeds, with the neck so bent 
as to rest the head on the back, waiting patiently for their 
prey to pass within their reach, when they dart forward their 
sharp bill with inevitable aim ; but when tired of this, which 
is often unsuccessful, they overcome their natural indolence 
so far as to move slowly through the mud or water, stiring 
up as they walk by means of their long toes the frogs or fishes 
that may be lurking in such places. Timid and cowardly to 
a great degree, the smallest hawk will turn their flight, and 
often master them, though capable of inflicting a dangerous 
blow with their powerful beak. They build in companies in 
high trees, laying about four eggs. The parents are, to a 
proverb, tender of their offspring, and carefully provide for 
them during the long time that they require their assistance. 
Their voice is loud, hoarse, and monotonous, and heard chiefly 
at night, when most of them are in motion. Their flight is 
full of grace, and is performed with the neck bent backwards, 
and the head resting against the back. 
The numerous species of this genus are dispersed over all 
climates and countries, excepting the very coldest. In no 
