PEALE’S EGRET HERON. 491 
group does the size vary to the same extent as is exemplified in 
the American species by the gigantic Ardea Herodias and 
diminutive Ardea ewilis. 
The herons properly so called forming our subgenus Ardea, 
of which the group /gretta is a subdivision, have the bill 
much longer than the head, at base as broad, or even broader, 
than high, and quite straight. Their neck is very long, slender, 
and ornamented beneath with slender, elongated, pendant 
plumes: their flanks are thin, their legs very long, and have 
an extensive naked space above the heel. 
They are more diurnal than nocturnal in their habits, are 
the tallest of the genus, and for the most part feed on fishes. 
There is scarcely a fish, however large, that a heron will not 
strike at and wound, even if unable to carry it off. They both 
seize them in shallow water by darting their bill, or in deep 
water by plunging it under as they pass on the wing: they ~ 
are therefore extremely injurious to fishponds, which they 
devastate to an incredible extent, and consume so great a 
quantity that a single heron will destroy in a year several 
thousand large fishes, without taking into account the small 
fry which are their chief dependence. Even when gorged 
with prey, these greedy birds will sit meditating further 
mischief, with their long necks sunk between their shoulders, 
and their heads turned to one side, intently eyeing the pool ; 
and their extraordinary power of digestion soon enables them 
to recommence their task. But, like other lean and hungry 
eluttons, the heron is never satisfied ; his food avails him not, 
and he is generally an emaciated mass of skin and bones. 
They do not hide themselves in grassy places, nor attempt to 
escape danger by retreating to them, but, on the contrary, are 
careful to seek their prey where the weeds are not too high to 
prevent them from observing the approach of an enemy, to 
escape whom flight is their only resource. Highly social in 
their disposition, they travel, fish, and keep together in parties, 
and build on trees or hanging cliffs, hundreds in company, in 
retired haunts, where they may expect to enjoy perfect quiet 
