THE GREAT WHITE EGRET. 229 
almost any kind. If it is possible to approach them 
sufficiently near to observe their motions while thus 
occupied, we shall hardly fail to be gratified with the 
sight. Here is one fine fellow, standing over three 
feet and a half in height. He has straightened up 
his tall and graceful figure to its full extent, and is 
looking around suspiciously, but not observing any 
danger, he composes himself to his work. What a 
noble bird ! His plumage, of snowy whiteness, fairly 
glistens in the sun’s rays ; and the long, flowing 
plumes, which form a train of exquisite delicacy, are 
waving in the gentle breeze. Now with silent watch- 
fulness he intently eyes- the quiet water, his neck 
curved so as to bring the head to rest above the 
shoulders. In this position he stands motionless as 
a statue, engaged either in quietly contemplating 
what ig going on around him, or perhaps in watch- 
ing for fresh game. Let us now apprise them that 
we are too near for their convenience. Suddenly the 
whole troop spread their broad wings, and in the 
most majestic manner move slowly away. For a long 
distance we can watch them ; their heads drawn in 
to the shoulders, the long legs extended to their ut- 
most in the rear, like a rudder, and their ample wings 
beating the air in slow and measured strokes. This 
showy bird appears to inhabit the whole line of the 
Atlantic States as far as Massachusetts, confining 
itself principally to the vicinity of those waters which 
flow toward the sea, seldom, if ever, being found very 
far in the interior. 
The Little Egret, or Snowy Heron, is another of 
20 
