NORTH AMERICAN ASH-COLOURED HERON. 
feathers of the wings are lighter; and the quill 
feathers of the wings, and the tail-feathers, 
are darker. The skin which connefts the 
joints of the wing in it's upper part, is covered, 
both on the upper and under sides, with small 
dusky feathers having reddish tips. The inner 
coverts of the wings, and the sides under 
them, are of a blueish ash-colour. The breast 
is white; spotted with largish black spots, 
having a slight intermixture of reddish brown. 
The lower belly, and covert feathers under the 
tail, are white. The back is covered with ash- 
coloured down, which is hid by the long fea- 
thers springing from the shoulders. The up- 
per parts of the thighs are of a reddish brown ; 
the knees, and the bare spaces above them, are 
covered with yellow scales ; and the legs, from 
the knees downwards, as well as the feet, have 
scales of a black or dusky colour. The claws 
are black, the middle ones being pe6linated ; 
and the outer toe is for a little way united by a 
web to the middle toe. The toes, especially 
the back toe of each foot, are much longer, 
in proportion to the legs, than in the crane 
kind. 
This 
