_Blue Crane, or Heron._—+Wils.+
_Egretta cœrulea._
_Ardea cœrulea_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 307.
_Ardea cœrulescens_, +Lath.+
_Egretta cœrulea_, +Bonap.+
[100] Length 22 inches, expanse 37, flexure 11, tail 3⁸⁄₁₀, rictus
3⁷⁄₁₀, tarsus 4, middle toe 2⁸⁄₁₀. One cæcum, rudimentary, 2¹⁄₂
inches from cloaca.
The slender contour of this bird, its arching purple neck, its
filamentous crown-plumes, and the long pointed scapulars arching down
over its back, combine with its graceful motions and delicate hue, to
give this bird an aspect of peculiar elegance. Less suspicious than
most of its tribe, it will frequently allow the beholder to stand and
admire it, without alarm, as it stands in some shallow stream, or
secluded pool, intent on its occupation, while the glassy surface gives
back its beautiful form, unbroken. Its motions are deliberate and slow
while watching for prey; yet its seizure of prey is sudden, and as
quick as the lightning-flash. It feeds principally on small crabs and
prawns; which I have always found changed in appearance, by the process
of digestion; the shell reddened and the flesh coagulated, as if by
boiling. In one I have found a number of minute eel-like fishes, about
an inch and a quarter long, probably the fry of a _muræna_; in another,
insects. It is usually found excessively fat.
A specimen, shot from a tree, fell into rather deep water; and though
one foot was disabled, it struck out vigorously with the other,
and _swam_ in an upright posture, with the head drawn back (_not
struggling_,) several yards, before it was seized.
It is not common enough for me to determine whether it is migratory or
not; I have obtained specimens on the 16th of September and on the 9th
of April, and through the intervening winter.