HERONS 
A denizen of the mangrove swamps of Central and South America, the boat¬ 
billed heron is remarkable for its grotesque bill. During the breeding season 
these birds may be seen singly or in pairs in the dense jungle bordering 
Brazilian rivers. Though the boat-bill has been known to scientists for more 
than a hundred and fifty years, little has been learned of its nesting and 
mating habits because of the pestilential, torrid, insect-ridden and generally 
inaccessible character of its habitat. Its eggs are believed to be pure white. 
Observations made of the more common herons indicate that they live in 
large flocks, build their nests in a colony near together, and lay from 
three to six whitish or bluish-green eggs in their large nests. 
The boat-bill is a delicate lavender gray above, a lighter color beneath 
and on the tail. Its head and the long drooping crest that issues from the 
crown are blue-black. Its throat and the sides of its face are white, its breast, 
cinnamon red. The bird has large dark eyes. The plumage of herons in 
general is distinctive. The sides of the rump are covered with down that 
disintegrates into a light greenish powder. 
Like their heron relatives, the boat-bills live in small colonies and 
seem to be nocturnal. They are capable of strong flight but usually fly only 
a few yards to the accompaniment of much flapping. They generally lurk 
amid the tangled undergrowth of the jungle and although often unseen, 
their presence is detected by their harsh croaks and squawks. Most herons 
are seen wading in the marsh with a slow and dignified gait. Fish is the 
mainstay of the heron bill-of-fare, although they occasionally vary this 
menu with insects, frogs and snakes. The boat-bill, to judge by the form 
of its beak, is probably an inept fisherman. It uses its beak to dig into the 
sand and mud at the river bottom for aquatic worms and small crustaceans. 
Othei members of the heron family inhabit not only the swamps and 
maishes but also the sea coasts. Herons are found the world over except 
in the far north. 
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