8 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
with their entire similarity of size and form, render it extremely probable that the case of Ardea 
rufa, Boddaert, and A. “ Pealei,” Bonaparte, is repeated in the present instance ; these two supposed 
species in all probability being, as has been incontestably proven with rufa and “ Pealei,” “ dichro- 
matic ” phases of the same species. The facts bearing directly upon the case have already been 
given at length elsewhere , 1 and are too voluminous to reproduce here. 
The Great White Heron, so far as we are aware, has a residence restricted to 
Florida and the West India Islands. It was first met with by Mr. Audubon at Indian 
Key, Florida, in April, 1832. Although generally unmolested by man at that time, 
he found it shy, and extremely difficult to procure. Sometimes it would rise when 
at the distance of half a mile, and fly out of sight ; and it was impossible to approach 
one while perched or standing in the water. He found it a constant resident on the 
Florida Keys, and more abundant there during the breeding season than anywhere 
else. It was rare as far eastward as Cape Florida. It has, however, been seen in 
Southern Illinois, and may have a more extended distribution. It pairs early in 
March, but many did not lay their eggs until the middle of April. Their nests were 
usually found at considerable distance from each other, although many were found 
on the same keys. They were generally only a few feet above high-water mark, were 
quite large, averaging about three feet in diameter, built of sticks, without any lining, 
quite flat, and several inches thick. He was informed that incubation lasted about 
thirty days. Both birds sit, the female being the most assiduous, with their legs 
stretched out before them. The young, from ten days to a month old, showed no 
signs of a crest, and were pure white, with a tinge of cream-color ; and even those 
that had been kept more than a year exhibited nothing of the kind. It is described 
as quite sedate, and less animated than the herodias. It walks with firmness and 
great elegance, collects in flocks at its breeding grounds, sometimes a hundred or 
more being seen together, betaking themselves to the mud-flats and sandbars at a 
distance from the keys, on which they roost and breed. It is diurnal in its habits, as 
our observations appeared to show. While on the banks it stands motionless, wait- 
ing until its prey comes near ; and then it strikes it and swallows it alive, or when 
large beats it on the water or shakes it violently. It remains on its feeding-ground 
until driven off by the, tide. When roosting it stands on one foot, the other being 
lifted up, draws in its long neck, and places its head under its wing. When sur- 
prised it leaves its perch with a rough croaking sound, and flies directly to a great 
distance, but never inland. Its flight is said to be firm, regular, and greatly pro- 
tracted. It propels itself by regular slow flaps, the head being drawn in after it has 
proceeded a few yards, and its legs extended behind. It occasionally rises high in 
the air, where it sails in wide circles, and rarely re-aliglits without performing this 
circling flight. 
Mr. Audubon carried several of these herons, taken when quite young, alive with 
him to Charleston. Two that had been allowed the liberty of the deck killed and 
devoured the young of other and smaller species ; and when placed in a coop with 
young of the herodias, would have killed the latter if they had not been separated. 
Two others, which had been kept in confinement on Indian Key, he found with their 
bills very much broken by the force with which they struck at the fish thrown to 
them on the rock of their enclosure. They never evinced the least animosity towards 
one another, but would on every occasion seek to attack and kill those of other 
1 See Bulletin of the U. S. Geol. & Geog. Survey of the Territories, Yol. IV. No. 1 (Feb. 5, 1878), 
pp. 229-236, anil Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. VII. No. 1 (January, 1882), 
pp. 1-6. 
