of the United Stntes . SOS 
Inhabits throughout North America : rarely seen in the 
middle states. 
46. ARDEA. 
Ardea, L. Gm. Lath . III. Cuv. Temm. Vieill. Eanz. 
Ardea , Herodias , Botaurus , JYycticorax , Ardeola , Bois. 
Bill long, cleft beneath the eyes, straight, compressed- 
cultrate, acuminate, acute; mandibles subequal, generally 
serrated in a slight degree near the extremity ; the upper slight- 
ly furrowed on each side at base, notched ; ridge rounded, 
somewhat distinct at base, curved gradually at the point : 
nostrils placed in the furrow, basal, linear, longitudinal, 
covered behind by a membrane : tongue moderate, membra- 
nous, oblong, plain, acute : lora and orbits naked. Body 
much compressed. Feet long, slender; tarsus but little 
longer than the middle toe, generally clypeate, superior scales 
scutelliform, rarely sculellate; toes scutellated, elongated, 
slender, slightly margined, flattened beneath ; outer connected 
at base by a membrane; inner nearly free; hind toe articu- 
lated internally on a level with the rest, at least half as long 
as the middle one, resting on the ground, connected at base 
with the inner : nails long, slender, acute; middle one serrated 
internally ; hind nail largest, much curved, very acute. 
Wings moderate, obtuse, tuberculated ; first primary subequal 
to the second and third, which are longest. Tail short, round- 
ed, of ten or twelve feathers. 
Female similar to the male. Young different from the 
adult, obtaining their full plumage only after the third year. 
Moult annually. Varying greatly in size in the different spe- 
cies. Adult more ornamented by long slender feathers, lost 
in moulting, and not renewed for some time. Down silky. 
Dull : sitting on trees near the water, or inhabiting mo- 
rasses. Feed exclusively on animals, especially fishes and 
reptiles. Build socially in high trees; eggs about four. 
