224 
HERONS AND BITTERNS 
Washington, rather common, absent only in midwinter. Long Island, 
common T. V., Apl. and May; Aug.-Dee. (Dutcher). Ossining, common 
T. V., Apl. 4-Apl. 18; Aug. 16-Oct. 6. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl. 
1-May 1; Sept. 1-Oct. 20; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, tolerably com- 
mon S. R., Mch. 20-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, not common T. V., Apl. 3-26; 
Aug. 3-Oct. 24. SE. Minn., common S. R., Mch. 26-Oct. 1. 
Nest, a platform of sticks, generally in colonies, usually in tall trees, 
sometimes on the ground on islets. Eggs, 3-4, pale, dull blue, 2*50 x 1*50. 
Date, Coast S. C., Mch. 20; Oneida Co., N. Y., May 1; SE. Minn., Apl. 28. 
Is it due to the influence of the artists of the Orient that these 
long-legged, long-necked birds are so frequently miscalled “Cranes?” 
With head drawn in and legs trailing on behind, they flap slowly over 
the water, resembling, no doubt, the “Cranes” of fans, screens, and 
bronzes; nevertheless, they are Herons. With all a Heron’s immovable 
alertness they watch patiently for passing fish, sometimes wading with 
extreme caution, placing one foot slowly after the other. They feed 
both by day and night. Fishes, frogs, reptiles, even small mice, all 
are welcome; and all are powerless to escape the lightning thrust of 
the spearlike bill. Their voice is harsh and rasping. When alarmed 
they utter a croak which is sometimes prolonged into a series of squawks. 
They nest and roost in colonies, but at other times are solitary birds. 
194Lfo. A. h. wardi ( Ridgw .). Ward’s Heron. The Florida repre- 
sentative of A. h. herodias. The average differences in color between it and 
A. h. herodias consist in its whiter lower parts, darker neck, and olive instead 
of black legs. These differences, however, cannot always be relied upon, 
and size is the character by which the two birds can best be distinguished, 
wardi being the larger, as the following measurements show; L., 52*00; W., 
19*75-20*50; B., 6*40-6*80; Tar., 8*00-8*50. 
Range. — Fla. and the Gulf coast to Tex. 
Nest, in colonies, a platform of sticks, usually in trees, sometimes bushes, 
generally over water. Eggs, 3-4, pale, dull blue, 2*65 x 1*85. Date, Tarpon 
Springs, Fla., Jan. 20. 
This is the Florida form of the Great Blue Heron, which it resembles 
in habits. 
1908. Chapman, F. M., Camps and Cruises, 119-122 (nesting). 
The European Great Blue Heron {195. Ardea cinereal) is accidental 
in southern Greenland. It may be distinguished from our species by the 
white instead of rufous feathers on the legs. 
196. Herodias egretta ( Gmel . ). Egret. Ads. in breeding plumage . — 
Entire plumage pure white; about fifty straight ‘aigrette’ plumes grow from 
the interscapular region and reach beyond the tail ; legs and feet black ; bill 
yellow; lores orange, bordered below by greenish. Ads. after the breeding 
season and Im. — Without the interscapular plumes. L., 41*00; W., 15*00; 
Tar., 5*60; B., 4.50. 
Range. — Temperate and tropical Am. Breeds in Ore. and Calif., and 
from N. C., Fla., the Gulf coast, and Mex. s. to Patagonia; formerly bred 
n. to N. J. and Wise.; winters from the Gulf of Mex. southward; casual to 
Man., Que., N. Y-, New England, and N. S. 
Washington, not common and irregular S. R., May- Aug. Long Island, 
rare from July— Oct. Ossining, A. V. N. Ohio, tolerably common S. R., 
Mch. 20-Oct. 10. SE. Minn. A. V. 
Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in trees or bushes over water. 
