COLLECTION OF BIRDS. 3j5 



croma cochlearia), which lives in the warm parts 

 of South America ; it perches upon trees on the 

 borders of rivers, whence it darts upon the fish. 

 It is remarkable for its large bill, which is like 

 the bowls of two spoons with their concave 

 sides adjoining, and for the long black feathers 

 which hang from the head of the male. 



The herons (arded) to the number of thirty- 

 nine species fill the forty-first case. These birds, 

 which are of a melancholy disposition, feed on 

 fish, and pass their lives on the borders of rivers. 

 They advance into the water up to the body, and 

 remain for hours with the neck drawn in be- 

 tween the shoulders in the most complete inac- 

 tivity ; if a fish, such as they like, passes w ithin 

 their reach, they extend their neck and dart their 

 bill down with such rapidity, that they never 

 fail to catch it. The common heron is of an iron- 

 grey with a black crest, out of which three fea- 

 thers, longer than the rest and very flexible, hang 

 behind the head. They are much esteemed as 

 ornaments, and are sold at a considerable price. 

 There is another species equally esteemed for the 

 pretty feathers, from which it is named the egret ; 

 the bird itself is entirely white ; in the pairing 

 season those feathers with slender stems and 

 loose plumes are very long on its back. The bit- 

 tern [ardea steliaris) keeps constantly amongst 



