304 
Synopsis of the Birds 
Fly gracefully with the neck bent backwards, and the head 
resting against the back. 
Inhabit throughout the world. 
SUBGENUS I. ARDEA. 
Herons pr opr ement dits , Bvff. Vieill. Temm. Herons vrais, 
Aigrettes , Cuv. Ardea, Stephens . 
Bill much longer than the head, at base as broad or 
broader than high, quite straight. Neck very long, slender, 
beneath with slender, elongated, pendent plumes : body thin- 
flanked. Legs very long ; naked space above the tarsus 
extensive. 
Diurnal. Feed principally on fishes. The largest of the 
genus. 
226. Ardea iierodias, L. Crested ; bluish-ash ; thighs fer- 
ruginous ; middle toe much shorter than the tarsus. 
Adult, crown black and white, with two long tapering black 
feathers ; back with long, narrow, white, tapering plumes. 
Young, crown dark slate ; no long feathers on the back. 
Great Heron, Ardea herodias, Wils. Am. Orn . viii. p . 28. 
pi. 65. fg. 2. adult. 
Inhabits common, and resident in the union: rare, and mi- 
gratory in the North-eastern states. 
227. Ardea alba, L. Slightly crested ; snowy white ; bill 
yellow; legs black, very long, slender, naked for four inches 
above the'tarsus. 
Adult, back with long flowing plumes stiff and falling, 
reaching beyond the tail. 
Young and moulting destitute of the dorsal train. 
Great White Heron, Ardea egretta, Wils. Am. Orn. vii. 
p. 106. pi. 61. fig. 1. 
Inhabits the northern hemisphere. 
228. Ardea pealii, Nob. Crested ; snowy white ; bill flesh- 
color, the point and legs black ; toes beneath yellow ; tarsus 
more than five inches long. 
