22 
BLUE CRANE. 
figured in the same plate. Like this last, it is also very silent, 
intent, and v/atchfuL 
The genus Ardea is the most numerous of all the wading 
tribes, there being no less than ninety-six different species 
enumerated by late writers. These are again subdivided into 
particular families, each distinguished by a certain peculiarity. 
The cranes, by having the head bald ; the storks, with the or- 
bits naked ; and the herons, with the middle claw pectinated. 
To this last belong the bitterns. Several of these are noctur- 
nal birds, feeding only as the evening twilight commences, and 
reposing either among the long grass and reeds, or on tall 
trees, in sequestered places, during the day. What is very 
remarkable, these night wanderers often associate, during the 
breeding season, with the others, building their nests on the 
branches of the same tree ; and, though differing so little in 
external form, feeding on nearly the same food, living and 
lodging in the same place, yet preserve their race, language, 
and manners, as perfectly distinct from those of their neigh- 
bours, as if each inhabited a separate quarter of the globe. 
The blue heron is twenty-three inches in length, and three 
feet in extent ; the bill is black, but from the nostril to the eye, 
in both mandibles, is of a rich light purplish blue ; iris of the 
eye, gray ; pupil, black, surrounded by a narrow silvery ring ; 
eyelid, light blue ; the whole head, and greater part of the 
neck, is of a deep purplish brown ; from the crested hind 
head shoot three narrow pointed feathers that reach nearly six 
inches beyond the eye ; lower part of the neck, breast, belly, 
and whole body, a deep slate colour, with lighter reflections ; 
the back is covered with long, flat, and narrow feathers, some 
of which are ten inches long, and extend four inches beyond 
the tail ; the breast is also ornamented with a number of these 
long slender feathers ; legs, blackish green ; inner side of the 
middle claw pectinated. The breast and sides of the rump, 
under the plumage, are clothed with a mass of yellowish white 
unelastic cottony down, similar to that in most of the tribe, the 
uses of which are not altogether understood. Male and female 
alike in colour. 
