BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
171 
ARDEA CAL RULE A. Linn. 
Little Blue Heron. 
Adult Male. — Slaty blue, shading into purple on the head and 
neck ; bill, blue, becoming dark at the end ; legs, black. Immature 
plumage, pure white, generally showing a tinge of blue usually on 
the primaries ; legs, greenish blue; toes , yellow. 
Length about 23, wing 11, tarsus 3.60. 
The Little Blue Heron is abundant during the winter. All the 
specimens taken were young birds in the white plumage ; no adults 
were seen. Dr. Bryant regards this bird as “ the most common 
species of Heron. From the nature of the keys, and the general 
absence of marsh grounds, I had been led to suppose that birds of 
this family would be rare, but this was by no means the case.” 
None were taken during the summer, although I thought I saw it 
twice in June. 
Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. VI. pi. 372. 
ARDEA VIRESCENS. Linn. 
Green Heron. 
Winter Plumage , Male. — An occipital crest of dark green ; neck, 
chestnut ; throat marked heavily with white ; under parts pale 
purplish or ashy, marked with white ; back, greenish, showing tinge 
