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CICONIIFORMES 
SUBORDER— ARDEAE. HERONS AND BITTERNS 
As this suborder is represented in Canada by only one family, Ardeidae, 
the description under that heading is sufficient. 
FAMILY ARDEIDAE. HERONS AND BITTERNS 
General Description. Heron-like birds with straight and very sharply pointed bills. 
Forehead feathered, but space in front of eyes bare. A peculiar feature with this suborder 
is the occurrence of “powder-down tracts” — aggregations of peculiarly modified feathers 
giving off a dry powder of unknown use. These feathers are found on various parts of the 
body hidden under the visible plumage. Claw of the middle toe is pectinate, that is, fur- 
nished with a series of well-defined, comb-like teeth (Figure 99), not merely roughnesses as 
in the ibises. 
Distinctions. This suborder might be mistaken for cranes, but the feathered fore- 
head is distinctive (Like Figure 20, compare with 
Figure 22, pages 27, 28). Back of neck bare, the 
feathers of sides reaching around and behind and 
hiding the bareness from casual observation. Hind 
toe very long, set level with the other toes, and not 
slightly raised as in other waders. 
Field Marks. Obvious heron-like outline, with 
long, graceful neck, long, sharp bill (Figure 20, page 
27), and lengthened legs (Figure 99). Neck folded 
in flight, bringing head close to shoulders, the legs 
trailing behind. The cranes, with which they may 
be confused in life, carry their necks outstretched 
when fifing (Compare Figure 100 with 239, page 167). 
Perhaps no birds are so well known to the general public by common 
repute and observation as these, yet we seldom hear them correctly named. 
The terms herons, storks, and cranes, are applied and misapplied indis- 
criminately. There are no true storks in Canada. The cranes are of quite 
distinct character from herons. The birds most commonly called “cranes’ ’ 
in the east are usually true herons. True cranes are quite rare or absent 
east of Manitoba. 
The family is divided into two subfamilies: Ardeinae , the herons and 
egrets; and Botaurinae, the bitterns. 
Subfamily — Ardeinae. True Herons and Egrets 
General Description. More slender and graceful birds than the bitterns and, on the 
average, larger. The smallest are slightly smaller than the American Bittern. Colour 
makes the best character for popular recognition from the bitterns. 
Distinctions. Herons are usually slate-blue or dull green, but sometimes white. The 
juvenile Night Heron is dull, pale brown, the bitterns have pronounced yellow coloration. 
All Canadian herons in full breeding condition have long, fine plumes on crown, lower 
throat, or back, which are lost in the autumn. 
Field Marks. The characteristic outline in flight, with straight, sharp-pointed bill, 
head drawn in to the shoulders, and legs trailing behind, is common to both bitterns and 
herons, which are better recognized apart by species than as subfamilies. However, any 
such bird that is obviously not a bittern is probably a heron. 
Nesting. Herons commonly build in communities, usually in tree tops in wet forests, 
but sometimes, especially on the prairies, on the ground in marshes or on islets in the lakes. 
The herons are as a rule fishers in open shallows, haunting grassy 
bogs less than do bitterns. Instead of stalking their prey they are quite 
likely to remain motionless in the shallows until it comes within reach, or 
only move after it slowly and by imperceptible movements. 
Figure 100 
Appearance of Heron in flight 
