EGRETTA. 
Herodias is a much larger bird with a longer, heavier bill, much longer 
wing, tail, legs, etc. 
An artificial key might be thus made out for Australian birds other 
than in breeding-plumage: — 
Wing over 320 mm 
Wing under 300 mm. 
Bill long and slender, about one- third the length 
of the wing 
Bill long and thick (conical), noticeably less than 
one-third the length of the wing 
Herodias.. 
Egretta. 
Mesophoyx. 
423 
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