| Ardea candidissima, | Gmel.—Aud. pl. 242. |
| Egretta candidissima, | Bonap. |
[99] Length 22 inches, expanse 34½, flexure 9¹⁄₁₀, tail 3¹⁄₁₀, rictus 3⁹⁄₁₀, tarsus 4, middle toe 2⁶⁄₁₀. (A female.)
This is much more rare than the preceding species; but two specimens having fallen under my observation, both of which occurred in the middle of the winter. It is probably a migrant from the continent; the preceding, however, is a permanent resident with us.
From the rarity of its occurrence, I can add nothing to Wilson’s account of this species; except that in the stomach of one I found twenty-nine small silvery fishes, a species of Smaris.
BLUE GAULIN.[100]
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, 2½ 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.