GREAT BLUE HERON. 
194. Ardea herodias herodias. 48 inches. 
This handsome Heron in general color in the adult stage is 
bluish gray, relieved by a black crest, and black primaries and 
patches on the sides and a white crown. Young birds are 
much duller colored and lack the crest of the old birds. It 
takes several years for them to obtain their perfect plumage. 
In the South they breed in large colonies, often in company 
with many other species. 
Nest.— Is usually built of sticks, making a rude platform in 
the trees near swamps or wet woods. In some localities as many 
as 40 nests have been found in a single tree. Three to five 
eggs of a greenish blue color (2.50 x 1.50). 
Range. —North America except the extreme northern part, 
breeds from British Columbia to southern Lower California. 
GREEN HERON. 
201. Butorides virescens virescens. 17 inches. 
This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well known all over 
the country. In most sections of the country they will be found 
nesting, one or two pairs together, along the border of some 
swamp or stream; 3 to 5 pale greenish blue eggs (1.45x1.10). 
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