16 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
GENUS 45. ARDEA. 

The bill is long, flrait, fharp pointed, a little come 
prefled, with a furrow from the nottrils towards the point, 
_ The noftrils are linear, or narrow. 
Fd The tongue is pointed. 
- The toes are conneéted by a membrane as far as the fir 
joint; the middle claw in fome is peétinated, or jagged; 
and the toes are four in number. 
Frrst Division, 
CRESTED HERONS. 
HE top of the head of the Crowned 
Heron is covered with foft black feathers, 
like velvet; on the hind part is a tuft of briftles 
four inches long, fpreading out ina globular form, 
The fides of the head are bare of feathers ; on the 
cheeks the fkin is of a lively fearlet. 
Thefe Herons are found in Africa, efpecially 
| on the Gold Coaft. . 
ae They are frequently feen on the banks of rivers ; 
‘, take little fifh, and eat grafs and grain, 
ase They run very faft, {preading their wings; at. 
. other times they walk flowly, and very uprightly. — 
_ Thefe Cretted Herons are very gentle, and feem 
fond of man. In the Cape de Verd Iflands they 
are half tamed, and they come to feed in the. 
COurte 

