HERONS 
63 
flock is exterminated. After the plumes are removed the bodies are left 
to rot on the ground while the young starve in the nests above. Local 
laws were passed against killing the birds, but without avail. Originally 
the waters of Florida and the Gulf Straits were made beautiful with the 
forms of these immaculate birds; a few years ago this great attraction 
was almost lost, as the birds were approaching extinction. As it was 
found impossible to distinguish between foreign and native plumes or 
prevent the traffic in the one while permitting it in the other, a federal law 
was Anally passed in the United States prohibiting 
the importation of feathers for millinery purposes. 
Similar laws have since been passed in Great Britain, 
her colonies, and Dominions, including Canada. 
Today, owing to these measures and the practical 
suppression of the plume trade, the birds seem to 
be increasing again. 
197. Little White Egret, la petite aigrette. Egrelta 
(hula. L, 24. A small, pure white heron. A cascade of fine, 
filamentous plumes falling over the back and recurved at the 
ends. Similar straight plumes from back of head and from 
neck over breast. Bill black, yellow about eyes. Legs black, 
feet yellow. Juveniles and autumn adults without plumes. 
Distinctions. Much like several other small, white herons, 
but characterized by size, black legs, yellow feet, and absence 
of any colour on tips of flight feathers. Wing, 9*50 to 11. 
Bill, 2*8 to 4. Tarsus, 3*7 to 4*15. Middle toe and claw, 
2*6 to 2*8 (Compare Figure 102 with 101 and 103). 
Field Marks. A small white heron. Not always separable 
in life from some other species that may occur, though under 
favourable circumstances the yellow feet on black legs are quite 
conspicuous. 
Figure 102 
Snowy Egret; 
scale, 5. 
Nesting. Nest of sticks in trees or bushes over water. 
Distribution. South and North America, formerly north 
to New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, and Oregon. Of only acci- 
dental appearance in Canada. There have been occasional 
occurrences in the southern parts of eastern Canada and the 
bird has been taken as far west as southern Alberta. Many 
of the older records of these small white herons are of un- 
certain identity. The eastern records can be referred to the 
Snowy Egrette (FAigrette neigeuse) Egretia thula thula, the 
western one may be Brewster’s Egret (FAigrette de Brewster) 
Egrelta thula brewsteri. 
200. Little Blue Heron, le petit hIcron bleu. Florida 
caerulea. L, 22. A small, dark-coloured heron, mostly even 
bluish slate, not lightening below, in adult. Pure, immaculate 
white when juvenile. 
Distinctions. The small size and even, over-all dark 
blue-greyness makes the adult quite distinct from any other 
heron in Canada. The absence of green anywhere, and of 
any trace of white on throat, foreneck, and underparts will 
readily separate from the Little Green Heron of somewhat 
similar appearance. The juvenile is pure white like an egret, 
but has no plumes anywhere and the primaries are almost 
always more or less clouded with greyish. 
Field Marks. A small, evenly dark-coloured heron of 
longer, more graceful, outline than the Green Heron. In 
white plumage the legs, dull greenish instead of black or 
black with yellow feet, will distinguish it from the egrets 
(Compare Figure 103 with Figures 101 and 102). 
(juvenile, white plumage); 
scale, j. 
76916—51 
