Order  VII.  GRALLvE. 
Family  II.  Ardeid^e. 
t 
The  third  Subfamily, 
ARDEINLE,  or  Herons, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  lengthened,  and  generally  acute,  with  the  gape  extending  beneath  each  eye  5 
the  Nostrils  placed  in  the  lateral  groove,  with  the  opening  usually  longitudinal,  and  partly  closed  by  a 
membrane :  the  Wings  usually  long,  and  the  first  quills  more  or  less  graduated :  the  Tail  short  and 
even :  the  Tarsi  long,  slender,  and  covered  with  transverse  scutellations  or  reticulated  scales  :  the  Toes 
long,  and  more  or  less  slender ;  the  outer  toe  usually  united  at  the  base ;  sometimes  both  toes  are 
united  at  the  base  for  some  distance. 
EURYPYGA  III.* 
Bill  long,  rather  slender,  straight,  with  the  culmen  straight  but  slight,  bent  at  the  tip,  which  is 
emarginated  ;  the  nostrils  lateral,  basal,  and  placed  in  a  deep  groove  which  extends  two  thirds  of  the 
length  of  the  bill,  with  the  opening  linear,  and  partly  closed  by  a  membrane.  Wings  long  and  ample, 
with  the  third  and  fourth  quills  equal  and  longest.  Tail  long,  broad,  and  slightly  rounded.  Tarsi 
longer  than  the  midddle  toe,  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  scales.  Toes  long  and  slender ; 
the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  and  united  by  a  membrane ;  the  latter  one  is  free  at  the  base  ;  the 
hind  toe  short  and  rather  elevated ;  the  claws  short  and  curved. 
The  species  are  found  in  the  warmer  parts  of  South  America,  where  they  frequent  the  inundated  places  and  borders 
of  rivers.  Their  flight  is  continuous  and  rapid ;  and  they  are  also  capable  of  running,  especially  in  sandy  places,  with 
great  agility.  The  crops  of  those  specimens  which  have  been  examined  were  found  to  contain  small  crustaceous 
animals ;  but  these  birds  are  also  supposed  to  feed  on  fish  and  other  kinds  of  animals  that  are  found  in  the  margins  of 
running  streams.  It  is  among  the  interlaced  and  low  branches  of  trees,  within  five  or  six  feet  of  the  marshy  ground, 
that  the  nest  is  formed  with  mud.    The  female  lays  two  eggs. 
1.  E.  Helias  (Pall.)  111.  PI.  enl.  782.  —  Scolopax  Solaris  Bodd. ;  |      2.  E.  major  Hartl.  Cat.  Brem.  Mus.  p.  108. 
Helias  phalaenokles  VieiU. 
*  Established  by  Illiger  in  1811  (Prod.  Mam.  et  Ac.  p.  257.).    Helias  of  Vieillot  (1816)  is  synonymous. 
