88 
WADING BIRDS. 
The Snowy Heron occurs regularly, in summer, from the Gulf 
States to Long Island. It is occasionally seen also along the 
Atlantic coast as far as Nova Scotia, and in the interior has been 
taken in Ohio and Ontario. 
One writer has called this species a scraper^ or raker, because it 
uses its legs and claws to start from their hiding-places the animals 
it desires to secure for food. In this movement it is said to sur- 
pass all other species in adroitness and rapidity, using the feet so 
rapidly as to cause the whole body to quiver. The scraping is done 
sometimes in water so deep that it reaches to the bird’s belly. 
Our bird wears the most beautiful plumes of all the Herons, and 
in consequence has been nearly exterminated by the plume-hunters. 
Instead of the thousands that gathered at their heronries a few 
years ago, only a few scattered birds can now be found. 
REDDISH EGRET. 
PEALE’S EGRET. 
.ArDEA RUf'A. 
Char. Colored phase. General plumage grayish blue, darker on the 
back, paler below; head and neck with long, narrow feathers, — longest 
on the back of the neck and the lower part of the breast, — of rich red- 
dish brown, sometimes tinged with purple; scapular plumes and train 
— the latter extending beyond the tail — grayish blue, tinged with brown 
towards the ends; bill pink, tipped with black; legs blue, claws black. 
White phase. Plumage entirely white ; bill pink, tipped with black; 
legs and feet olive, soles yellow. Length about 30 inches. 
Young of both phases similar to the adult, but lacking the nuptial 
plumes. Sometimes the blue and white colors are displayed by the same 
specimen in a “ pied ” form. 
Nest. With a community close by the sea-shore ; placed on a low 
tree or bush, sometimes on the ground, — a platform of dry twigs. 
Eggs. 2-6 (usually 3) ; pale blue tinged with green ; size variable, 
average about 1.90 X 1.45. 
This is another of those dichromatic species that have caused 
confusion and controversy, and given to both systematists and 
book-makers a deal of trouble. 
The white phase has in this instance been made to play the 
shuttlecock ; and appearing first as a distinct species, under the 
name of “ Peale’s Egret,” it has been tossed hither and yon by the 
numerous writers who have laid claim to a solution of the problem 
which these varied phases of plumage present. At one time made 
out to be the young of A. rufa, later set up as a white phase of 
this species, again seized upon by the hungry variety-makers 
