s is a resident in Florida. It is a lighter variety than
the common. It nests together with the Great Blue Heron and its habits
are the same.

195. EUROPEAN HERON. _Ardea cinerea._

This species is only an accidental straggler in Greenland. It is very
similar to our Blue Heron and is the one which was formerly used to
furnish sport for the royalty when falconry was at its height.

196. EGRET. _Herodias egretta._

Range.--Resident in the southern portions of the United States,
straggling northward casually to the northern parts.

This is one of the beautiful Herons which have been sought by plume
hunters till they are upon the verge of extermination. They are entirely
white, with a long train of beautiful straight "aigrettes" flowing from
the middle of the back. In remote localities, quite large colonies of
them may still be found, but where they numbered thousands, years ago,
they can be counted by dozens now. They breed in impenetrable swamps,
very often in company with the following species, and also with
Louisiana and Little Blue Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but
frail platforms, generally in bushes over the water. Their usual
complement of eggs numbers from three to five, four as the most common
number. They are generally laid during the latter part of May, but often
on account of their being disturbed, nests with eggs may be found in
July. The eggs are a light bluish green in color. Size 2.25 x 1.45.
Data.--Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs on a platform of
sticks and grass, in a button-wood bush over six feet of water.
Collector, George Graham.

197. SNOWY EGRET. _Egretta candidissima candidissima._

Range.--Common now only in restricted localities in the Gulf States and
Mexico.

This species, which is smaller than the last, being but twenty-four
inches in length, is also adorned with "aigrettes," but they are
beautifully recurved at the tips. Owing to the merciless slaughter to
which they have been subjected, their ranks have been woefully
decimated, and it is to be hoped that the remaining ones may be safely
protected. Their nesting habits are the same as the last, although, of
course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25.

[Illustration 124: Snowy Egret. Egret.]
[Illustration: Light greenish blue.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 123

198. REDDISH EGRET. _Dichromanassa rufescens._

Range.--In the United States, this species is confined chiefly to the
Gu