BRITISH BIRDS. 45 
EGRET. 
[Ardea Garzette, Lin. — E^retta, Buff.) 
The Egret is one of the fmalleft, as well as the 
mofl elegant of the Heron tribe : its fhape is deli- 
cate, and its plumage as white as fnow ; but what 
conflitute its principal beauty are the foft, filky, flow- 
ing plumes on the head, breafl;, and flioulders : 
they confifl of Angle flender fliafts, thinly fet with 
pairs of fine foft threads, which float on the llight- 
efl: breath of air. Thofe which arife from the 
flioulders are extended over the back, and flow be- 
yond the tail. Thefe plumes were formerly ufed 
to decorate the helmets of warriors : they are now 
applied to a gentler and better purpofe, in or- 
