76. THE en 
GENUS 45. ARDEA. 
The bill is lahes “firait, {harp pointed, a little coms 
prefled, with a furrow from the noftrils towards the point. 
The noftrils are linear, or narrow. — 
The tongue 1s pointed. tke 
The toes are connected by a membrane as far as S firft 
joint; the idle claw in fome is pettinated, or jagged ; ; 
and the toes are four in number. 
First Division, 
CRESTED HERONS. 
T\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 outina globular form. 
The fides of the head are bare of feathers ; on the 
_ eheeks the fkin is of a lively fearlet. ag 
Thefe Herons are found in pine efpectally 
on the Gold Coatft. 
‘They are frequently feen on the banks of rivers ; 
~ take little ith, and eat grafs and grain. 
They run very faft, fpreading their wings; at 
ether 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, ane they come to feed in the 
courts 
