4-1/4, tail 1-((8-1/2)/12).
GREAT AMERICAN EGRET.
_ARDEA EGRETTA_, GMEL.
PLATE CCCLXXXVI. MALE.
In the third volume of this work, I have already intimated that the
truly elegant Heron which now comes to be described, is a constant
resident in the Floridas, that it migrates eastward sometimes as far
as the State of Massachusetts, and up the Mississippi to the city of
Natchez, and, lastly, that it is never seen far inland, by which I mean
that its rambles into the interior seldom extend to more than fifty
miles from the sea-shore, unless along the course of our great rivers.
I have now to add that on my way to the Texas, in the spring of 1837,
I found these birds in several places along the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico, and on several of the islands scattered around that named
Galveston, where, as well as in the Floridas, I was told that they
spend the winter.
The Great American Egret breeds along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico,
and our Atlantic States, from Galveston Island in the Texas to the
borders of the State of New York, beyond which, although stragglers
have been seen, none, in so far as I can ascertain, have been known
to breed. In all low districts that are marshy and covered with large
trees, on the margins of ponds or lakes, the sides of bayous, or
gloomy swamps covered with water, are the places to which it generally
resorts during the period of reproduction; although I have in a few
instances met with their nests on low trees, and on sandy islands
at a short distance from the main land. As early as December I have
observed vast numbers congregated, as if for the purpose of making
choice of partners, when the addresses of the males were paid in a
very curious and to me interesting manner. Near the plantation of JOHN
BULOW, Esq. in East Florida, I had the pleasure of witnessing this sort
of tournament or dress-ball from a place of concealment not more than
a hundred yards distant. The males, in strutting round the females,
swelled their throats, as Cormorants do at times, emitted gurgling
sounds, and raising their long plumes almost erect, paced majestically
before the fair ones of their choice. Although these snowy beaux were a
good deal irritated by jealousy, and conflicts now and then took place,
the whole time I remained, much less fighting was exhibited than I had
expected from what I had already seen in the case of the Great Blue
Heron, _Ardea Herodias_. These meetings took place about ten o’clock
in the morning, or after they had all enjoyed a good breakfast, and
continued until nearly three in the afternoon, when, separating into
flocks of eight or ten individuals, they flew off to search for food.
These manœuvres were continued nearly a week, and I could with ease,
from a considerable distance mark the spot, which was a clear sand-bar,
by the descent of the separate small flocks previous to their alighting
there.
The flight of this species is in strength intermediate between that of
_Ardea Herodias_ and _A. rufescens_, and is well sustained. On foot
its movements are as graceful as those of the Louisiana Heron, its
steps measured, its long neck gracefully retracted and curved, and its
silky train reminded one of the flowing robes of the noble ladies of
Europe. The train of this Egret, like that of other species, makes its
appearance a few weeks previous to the love season, continues to grow
and increase in beauty, until incubation has commenced, after which
period it deteriorates, and at length disappears about the time when
the young birds leave the nest, when, were it not for the difference
in size, it would be difficult to distinguish them from their parents.
Should you however closely examine the upper plumage of an old bird
of either sex, for both possess the train, you will discover that its
feathers still exist, although shortened and deprived of most of their
filaments. Similar feathers are seen in all other Herons that have a
largely developed train in the breeding season. Even the few plumes
hanging from the hind part of the _Ardea Herodias_, _A. Nycticorax_,
and _A. violacea_, are subject to the same rule; and it is curious
to see these ornaments becoming more or less apparent, according to
the latitude in which these birds breed, their growth being completed
in the southern part of Florida two months sooner than in our Middle
Districts.
The American Egrets leave the Floridas almost simultaneously about the
1st of March, and soon afterwards reach Georgia and South Carolina,
but rarely the State of New Jersey, before the middle of May. In these
parts the young are able to fly by the 1st of August. On the Mule
Keys off the coast of Florida, I have found the young well grown by
the 8th of May; but in South Carolina they are rarely hatched until
toward the end of that month or the beginning of June. In these more
southern parts two broods are often raised in a season, but in the
Jerseys there is, I believe, never more than one. While travelling,
early in spring, between Savannah in Georgia and Charleston in South
Carolina, I saw many of these Egrets on the large rice plantations,
and felt some surprise at finding them much wilder at that period of
their migrations than after they have settled in some locality for the
purpose of breeding. I have supposed this to be caused by the change
of their _thoughts_ on such occasions, and am of opinion that birds of
all kinds become more careless of themselves. As the strength of their
attachment toward their mates or progeny increases through the process
of time, as is the case with the better part of our own species, lovers
and parents performing acts of heroism, which individuals having no
such attachment to each other would never dare to contemplate. In these
birds the impulse of affection is so great, that when they have young
they allow themselves to be approached, so as often to fall victims to
the rapacity of man, who, boasting of reason and benevolence, ought at
such a time to respect their devotion.
The American Egrets are much attached to their roosting places,
to which they remove from their feeding grounds regularly about an
hour before the last glimpse of day; and I cannot help expressing my
disbelief in the vulgar notion of birds of this family usually feeding
by night, as I have never observed them so doing even in countries
where they were most abundant. Before sunset the Egrets and other
Herons (excepting perhaps the Bitterns and Night Herons) leave their
feeding grounds in small flocks, often composed of only a single
family, and proceed on wing in the most direct course, at a moderate
height, to some secure retreat more or less distant, according to the
danger they may have to guard against. Flock after flock may be seen
repairing from all quarters to these places of repose, which one may
readily discover by observing their course.
Approach and watch them. Some hundreds have reached the well-known
rendezvous. After a few gratulations you see them lower their bodies
on the stems of the trees or bushes on which they have alighted, fold
their necks, place their heads beneath the scapular feathers, and
adjust themselves for repose. Daylight returns, and they are all in
motion. The arrangement of their attire is not more neglected by them
than by the most fashionable fops, but they spend less time at the
toilet. Their rough notes are uttered more loudly than in the evening,
and after a very short lapse of time they spread their snowy pinions,
and move in different directions, to search for fiddlers, fish, insects
of all sorts, small quadrupeds or birds, snails, and reptiles, all of
which form the food of this species.
The nest of the Great White Egret, whether placed in a cypress one
hundred and thirty feet high, or on a mangrove not six feet above the
water, whether in one of those dismal swamps swarming with loathsome
reptiles, or by the margin of the clear blue waters that bathe the Keys
of Florida, is large, flat, and composed of sticks, often so loosely
put together as to make you wonder how it can hold, besides itself, the
three young ones which this species and all the larger Herons have at
a brood. In a few instances only have I found it compactly built, it
being the first nest formed by its owners. It almost always overhangs
the water, and is resorted to and repaired year after year by the same
pair. The eggs, which are never more than three, measure two inches
and a quarter in length, an inch and five-eighths in breadth, and when
newly laid are smooth, and of a pale blue colour, but afterwards become
roughish and faded. When the nest is placed on a tall tree, the young
remain in it, or on its borders, until they are able to fly; but when
on a low tree or bush, they leave it much sooner, being capable of
moving along the branches without fear of being injured by falling, and
knowing that should they slip into the water they can easily extricate
themselves by striking with their legs until they reach either the
shore or the nearest bush, by clinging to the stem, of which they soon
ascend to the top.
This Egret is shy and vigilant at all times, seldom allowing a person
to come near unless during the breeding season. If in a rice-field of
some extent, and at some distance from its margins, where cover can be
obtained, you need not attempt to approach it; but if you are intent
on procuring it, make for some tree, and desire your friend to start
the bird. If you are well concealed, you may almost depend on obtaining
one in a few minutes, for the Egrets will perhaps alight within twenty
yards or less of you. Once, when I was very desirous of making a new
drawing of this bird, my friend JOHN BACHMAN followed this method, and
between us we carried home several superb specimens.
The long plumes of this bird being in request for ornamental purposes,
they are shot in great numbers while sitting on their eggs, or soon
after the appearance of the young. I know a person who, on offering a
double-barrelled gun to a gentlemen near Charleston, for one hundred
White Herons fresh killed, received that number and more the next day.
The Great Egret breeds in company with the Anhinga, the Great Blue
Heron, and other birds of this family. The Turkey Buzzards and the
Crows commit dreadful havoc among its young, as well as those of
the other species. My friend JOHN BACHMAN gives me the following
account of his visit to one of its breeding places, at the “Round
O,” a plantation about forty miles from Charleston: “Our company was
composed of BENJAMIN LOGAN, S. LEE, and Dr MARTIN. We were desirous
of obtaining some of the Herons as specimens for stuffing, and the
ladies were anxious to procure many of their primary feathers for
the purpose of making fans. The trees were high, from a hundred to a
hundred and thirty feet, and our shot was not of the right size; but
we commenced firing at the birds, and soon discovered that we had a
prospect of success. Each man took his tree, and loaded and fired as
fast as he could. Many of the birds lodged on the highest branches of
the cypresses, others fell into the nest, and, in most cases, when
shot from a limb, where they had been sitting, they clung to it for
some time before they would let go. One thing surprised me: it was the
length of time it took for a bird to fall from the place where it was
shot, and it fell with a loud noise into the water. Many wounded birds
fell some distance off, and we could not conveniently follow them on
account of the heavy wading through the place. We brought home with us
forty-six of the large White Herons, and three of the great Blues. Many
more might have been killed, but we became tired of shooting them.”
ARDEA EGRETTA, _Gmel._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 629.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 694.
ARDEA ALBA, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds of United
States, p. 304.
GREAT WHITE HERON, ARDEA EGRETTA, _Wils._ Amer. Ornith. vol.
vii. p. 106, pl. 61, fig. 1.
ARDEA EGRETTA, _Wagler_, Syst. Avium,—GREAT WHITE HERON,
_Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 47.
ARDEA LEUCE, _Illiger_, _Lichtenstein_.
Adult Male in Summer. Plate CCCLXXXVI.
Bill much longer than the head, straight, compressed, tapering to
a point, the mandibles nearly equal. Upper mandible with the dorsal
line nearly straight, the ridge broad and slightly convex at the base,
narrowed and becoming rather acute towards the end, a groove from the
base to two-thirds of the length, beneath which the sides are convex,
the edges thin and sharp, with a notch close to the acute tip. Nostrils
basal, linear, longitudinal, with a membrane above and behind. Lower
mandible with the angle extremely narrow and elongated, the dorsal line
beyond it ascending and almost straight, the edges sharp and direct,
the tip acuminate.
Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck very long and slender. Body
slender and compressed. Feet very long, tibia elongated, its lower half
bare, slender, covered anteriorly and laterally with hexagonal scales,
posteriorly with scutella; tarsus elongated, compressed, covered
anteriorly with numerous scutella, some of which are divided laterally
and posteriorly with angular scales. Toes of moderate length, rather
slender, scutellate above, granulate beneath; third toe considerably
longer than the fourth, which exceeds the second; the first large; the
claws of moderate length, rather strong, arched, compressed, rather
acute, that of the hind toe much larger, the inner edge of that of the
third regularly pectinated.
Space between the bill and eye, and around the latter, bare. Plumage
soft, blended; the feathers oblong, with their filaments generally
disunited, unless on the wings and tail. There is no crest on the head,
but the feathers on its upper and hind part are slightly elongated;
those on the lower part of the neck anteriorly are elongated; and from
between the scapulæ arises a tuft of extremely long, slightly decurved
feathers, which extend about ten inches beyond the end of the tail,
and have the shaft slightly undulated, the filaments long and distant.
The wing is of moderate length; the primaries tapering but rounded, the
second and third longest, the first slightly shorter than the fourth;
the secondaries broad and rounded, some of the inner as long as the
longest primaries, when the wing is closed. Tail very short, small,
slightly rounded, of twelve rather weak feathers.
Bill bright yellow, as is the bare space between it and the eye; iris
pale yellow; feet and claws black. The plumage is pure white.
Length to end of tail 37 inches, to end of claws 49, to end of wings
57-1/4, to carpus 23-1/2, to end of dorsal plumes 57; bill along
the ridge 4-7/12, along the edge of lower mandible 5-5/12; wing from
flexure 16-1/2; tail 6-1/4; extent of wings 55; bare part of tibia
3-1/2; tarsus 6-1/12; hind toe 1-1/2, its claw 1-2/12; second toe
2-8/12, its claw 7/12; third toe 3-11/12, its claw 9/12; fourth toe
3-2/12, its claw (7-1/2)/12. Weight 2-1/4 lb.
The Female is similar to the male, but somewhat smaller.
[Illustration]
The roof of the mouth is slightly concave, with a median and two
lateral longitudinal ridges, the palate convex, the posterior aperture
of the nares linear, without an anterior slit. The mouth is rather
narrow, measuring only 8 twelfths across, but is dilatable to 1-1/2
inch, the branches of the lower mandible being very elastic. The
aperture of the ear is very small, being 2 twelfths in diameter,
and roundish. The œsophagus is 2 feet 2 inches long, 1 inch and 4
twelfths in diameter, extremely thin, the longitudinal fibres within
the transverse, the inner coat raised into numerous longitudinal
ridges. The œsophagus continues of uniform diameter, and passes as
it were directly into the stomach, there being no enlargement at its
termination indicative of the proventriculus, which however exists, but
in a modified form, there being at the termination of the gullet eight
longitudinal series of large mucous crypts, about half an inch long,
and immediately afterwards a continuous belt, 1-1/2 inch in breadth,
of small cylindrical mucous crypts with minute apertures. Beyond this
the stomach forms a hemispherical sac 1-1/2 inch in diameter, of a
membranous structure, having externally beneath the cellular coat a
layer of slender muscular fibres, convex towards two roundish tendons,
and internally a soft, thin, smooth lining, perforated by innumerable
minute apertures of glandules. The intestine is very long and extremely
slender, measuring 6 feet 7 inches in length, its average diameter 2
twelfths. The rectum, _b d f_, is 3 inches long; the cloaca, _d e f_,
globular, 1-1/2 inch in diameter; the cœcum, _c_, single, as in the
other Herons, 3 twelfths long, and nearly 2 twelfths in diameter.
The trachea is 1 foot 9-1/4 inches long, of nearly uniform diameter,
flattened a little for about half its length, its greatest breadth
3-1/2 twelfths; the rings 285, the last four rings divided and arched.
The contractor muscles are extremely thin, the sterno-tracheal
moderate, and coming off at the distance of 1 inch from the lower
extremity, from which place also there proceeds to the two last rings a
pair of slender inferior laryngeal muscles. The bronchi are very short,
of about two half rings.
TAPAYAXIN.
The animal represented on the plate is the _Tapayaxin_ of Hernandez,
_Phrynosoma orbicularis_ of WIEGMANN, _Tapaya orbicularis_ of CUVIER.
The specimen from which it was drawn was entrusted to my care by my
friend RICHARD HARLAN, M. D., to whom it was presented by Mr NUTTALL,
who found it in California. A notice respecting this species by Dr
HARLAN will be found in the American Journal of Science and Arts, vol.
xxxi.
GLOSSY IBIS.
_IBIS FALCINELLUS_, VIEILL.
PLATE CCCLXXXVII. MALE.
The first intimation of the existence of this beautiful species of
Ibis within the limits of the United States is due to Mr GEORGE ORD
of Philadelphia, the friend and companion of the celebrated ALEXANDER
WILSON. It was described by him in the first volume of the Journal of
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He states that “on the
seventh of May of the present year (1817), Mr THOMAS SAY received from
Mr ORAM, of Great Egg Harbour, a fine specimen of _Tantalus_, which
had been shot there. It is the first instance which has come to my
knowledge of this species having been found in the United States. I was
informed that a recent specimen of this bird was, likewise in the month
of May, presented to the Baltimore Museum, and that two individuals
were killed in the district of Columbia.” In the sequel Mr ORD compares
it with Dr LATHAM’s account of the _Tantalus Mexicanus_ of that author,
and conjectures that it is the same.
It is not a little curious to see the changes of opinion that have
taken place within these few years among naturalists who have thought
of comparing American and European specimens of the birds which
have been alleged to be the same in both continents. The Prince of
MUSIGNANO, for example, who has given a figure of the very individual
mentioned by Mr ORD, thought at the time when he published the fourth
volume of his continuation of WILSON’s American Ornithology, that
our Glossy Ibis was the one described by the older European writers
under the name of _Ibis Falcinellus_. Now, however, having altered his
notions so far as to seem desirous of proving that the same species
of bird cannot exist on both the continents, he has latterly produced
it anew under the name of _Ibis Ordi_. This new name I cannot with
any degree of propriety adopt. I consider it no compliment to the
discoverer of a bird to reject the name which he has given it, even for
the purpose of calling it after himself.
The Glossy Ibis is of exceedingly rare occurrence in the United States,
where it appears only at long and irregular intervals, like a wanderer
who has lost his way. It exists in Mexico, however, in vast numbers.
In the spring of 1837, I saw flocks of it in the Texas; but even there
it is merely a summer resident, associating with the White Ibis, along
the grassy margins of the rivers and bayous, and apparently going to
and returning from its roosting places in the interior of the country.
Its flight resembles that of its companion, the White Ibis, and it is
probable that it feeds on the same kinds of crustaceous animals, and
breeds on low bushes in the same great associations as that species,
but we unfortunately had no opportunity of verifying this conjecture.
Mr NUTTALL, in his Ornithology of the United States and Canada, says
that “a specimen has occasionally been exposed for sale in the market
of Boston.”
I have given the figure of a male bird in superb plumage, procured in
Florida, near a wood-cutter’s cabin, a view of which is also given.
TANTALUS FALCINELLUS, _Linn._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p.
241.—_Lath._ Ind. Ornith. vol. ii, p. 707.
IBIS FALCINELLUS, _Vieill._ Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat.—_Ch.
Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p.
311.—_Wagler_, Syst. Avium.
GLOSSY IBIS, IBIS FALCINELLUS, _Ch. Bonap._ Amer. Ornith.
vol. iv. p. 23.
TANTALUS IGNEUS, _Gmel._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 649.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 708. Adult.
TANTALUS VIRIDIS, _Gmel._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 648.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 707. Young.
NUMENIUS CASTANEUS, _Briss._ vol. v. p. 329. Adult.
NUMENIUS VIRIDIS, _Briss_. vol. v. p. 326. Young.
TANTALUS MEXICANUS? _Ord_, Journal of Acad. of Sciences of
Philadelphia, vol. i. p. 53.
BAY or GLOSSY IBIS, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 88.
Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXXVII.
Bill very long, slender, higher than broad, compressed, tapering,
acute, obtuse. Upper mandible with the dorsal line arched in its whole
length, the ridge convex, broader towards the end, the sides at the
base nearly erect, towards the end very convex and narrow, the ridge
separated in its whole length from the sides by a deep narrow groove,
the edges inflected and sharp. Nostrils basal, dorsal, linear, direct.
Lower mandible more slender than the upper, its angle very narrow, and
protracted in the form of a groove to the tip, the sides convex, the
edges sharp, but strong and closely approximated, bearing only a very
narrow groove between them.
Head small, compressed, oblong; neck long and slender; body slender,
deeper than broad; wings rather large. Feet very long, slender; tibia
long, bare about half its length, and covered all round with hexagonal
scales; tarsi long, slender, anteriorly covered with numerous broad
scutella, laterally with angular scales, beneath flattened, with thick
soft margins; the anterior connected at the base by membranes, of which
the outer is large; claws rather small, slightly arched, compressed,
tapering, pointed, that of the middle toe with a sharp thin edge.
There is a bare space margining the forehead, occupying the part before
the eye, and extending a little beyond it. Feathers of the head and
neck slender lanceolate; those of the former glossy and compact, of
the latter blended, as are those of the breast and abdomen, which are
ovate. The upper parts highly glossed, with silky lustre, the feathers
generally ovate and rounded. Wings long, ample, the first primary
a quarter of an inch shorter than the second, which is two-twelfths
longer than the third, the rest moderately graduated; the first sinuate
on the inner web near the end, the second less deeply so; some of the
inner secondaries elongated, but rounded, and when the wing is closed
an inch and ten-twelfths shorter than the longest primary. Tail short,
very slightly emarginate, of twelve rounded feathers.