Plate CCCLXXXVI. Male.
Feathers of the head scarcely elongated, those of the fore part of the
back extremely long, slightly decurved, with loose filaments, and
extending about ten inches beyond the tail; bill yellow; feet black;
plumage pure white. Young white, the elongated feathers not fully
developed until the second year, bill greenish-black.
_Male_, 37, 57.
Resident in Florida, and Galveston Bay in Texas. Migrates in spring
sometimes as far as Massachusetts; up the Mississippi, to Natchez,
Breeds in all intermediate districts. Returns south before winter.
Very Abundant.
Ardea Egretta, Gmel. Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 629.
Great White Heron, Ardea Egretta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p.
106.
Ardea alba, Bonap. Syn. p. 304.
Ardea Egretta, Wagler, Syst. Av.
Great White Heron, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 47.
Great American Egret, Ardea Egretta, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p.
600.