134 HERONS AND BITTERNS.

subject. It is a blot on Florida’s history. The subject will be found fully treated by W. E. D. Scott in The Auk, iv, 1887, p. 135.

197. Arden. candidissima. Gmel. SNOWY HERON; Snowy Eonsr Ad. in breeding plumage—Entire plumage pure white; about fifty recurred “aigrette” plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach to or just beyond the end of the tail; legs black, feet yellow, bill black, yellow at the base; lores orange—yellow. Ad. afier the breeding season and Inn—Without the interscapular plumes. L., 2400; W., 9'75; Tan, 3'80; B., 3'20.

Range—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as southern

Illinois and Long Island; after the breeding season sometimes strays north— ward as far as Ontario and Maine.

Washington, casual; irregular in fall. Long Island, rare S. R., Apl. to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V.

Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Eggs, three to five, pale, dull blue, 1'80 x 1.20.

The “curse of beauty” has numbered the days of this the most dainty and graceful of Herons. Twenty years ago it was abundant in the South, now it is the rarest of its family. The delicate “aigrettes” which it donned as a nuptial dress were its death warrant. Woman demanded from the bird its wedding plumes, and man has supplied

’ the demand. The Florida Herons have gone, and now he is pursuing the helpless birds to the nttermost parts of the earth. Mercilessly they are shot down at their roosts or nesting grounds, the coveted feathers are stripped from their backs, the carcasses are left to rot, While the young in the nest above are starving. But then, you know, the little bunch of aigrettes in yonder jaunty bonnet is “so pretty,” “ so becoming! ”

198- Arden. 11113808218 Gmel. REDDISH Earn-21‘. Ad, dark phase.— Head and neck rufous-chestnut, glossed with vinaeeous; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; about thirty “ aigrette” plumes grow from the inter- scapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black. Im.—-Simi- lar, but without the “aigrette” plumes. White phase—Similar in size and form, but entire plumage white, ekeept the tips of the primaries, which are sometimes very finely speckled with grayish. Im.—Suni1ar, but without the “ aigrette’7 plumes. L., 29-00; W., 12'50; Tan, 540; B., 3'60.

Bemarks.—The two color phases of this bird were supposed to represent two species, the white phase being called Ardea peelei Bonap. They have. however, been found mated together, and intermediates or party-colored specimens are known.

Range—West Indies and Central America north to coasts of the Gulf States; casually southern Illinois.

Next, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes generally over water. Eggs, two to four, pale, dull blue, 1'95 x 1'45.

This is, or was a few years ago, a. not uncommon species on the coasts of southern Florida, but it is unknown in the interior. It is