294 
GREAT HERON. 
surrounded by a narrow silvery ring ; eyelid light blue ; the whole head 
and greater part of the neck, is of a deep purplish brown ; from the 
crested hind-head shoot three narrow pointed feathers, that reach nearly 
six inches beyond the eye ; lower part of the neck, breast, belly and 
whole body, a deep slate color, with lighter reflections ; the back is 
covered with long, flat, and narrow feathers, some of which are ten 
inches long, and extend four inches beyond the tail ; the breast is also 
ornamented with a number of these long slender feathers ; legs blackish 
green ; inner side of the middle claw pectinated. The breast and sides 
of the rump, under the plumage, are clothed with a mass of yellowish 
white unelastic cottony down, similar to that in most of the tribe, the 
uses of which are not altogether understood. Male and female alike in 
color. 
The young birds of the first year are destitute of the purple plumage 
on the head and neck. " 
Species III. AEDEA HERODIAS. 
GREAT HERON. 
[Plate LXV. Fig. 2.] 
Le Heron lmpp6 de Virginie, Briss. v., p. 416, 10. — Le Grand Heron d' 'Ame'rique, 
Buff, vii., p. 385. — Larger crested Heron, Catesb. App.pl. 10, fig. 1. — Lath. 
Syn. in., p. 85. — Arct. Zool. No. 341. 
The history of this large and elegant bird having been long involved 
in error and obscurity,* I have taken more than common pains to 
present a faithful portrait of it in this place ; and to add to that every 
fact and authentic particular relative to its manners which may be 
necessary to the elucidation of the subject. 
The Great Heron is a constant inhabitant of the Atlantic coast 
from New York to Florida ; in deep snows and severe weather seeking 
the open springs of the cedar and cypress swamps, and the muddy 
inlets occasionally covered by the tides. On the higher inland parts 
of the country, beyond the mountains, they are less numerous ; and 
* Latham says of this species, that " all the upper parts of the body, the belly, 
tail and legs are broivn;" and this description has been repeated by every subse- 
quent compiler. Buffon, with his usual eloquent absurdity, describes the Heron 
as "exhibiting the picture of wretchedness, anxiety and indigence; condemned 
to struggle perpetually with misery and want ; sickened with the restless cravings 
of a famished appetite;" a description so ridiculously untrue, that, were it 
possible for these birds to comprehend it, would excite the risibility of the whole 
tribe. 
