With the birds of the above species are shown a few specimens of the European Flamingo, (P. roseus), which is almost white. The only parts which show the characteristic scarlet of this genus, are the wing coverts, which are pale red, or pink.
The Scarlet Ibis, (Guara rubra), is for its size the most showy bird in existence, not even excepting the birds of paradise. Excepting the black primaries, every feather on the adult bird in perfect plumage is of a brilliant Chinese vermilion color, visible in nature for a long distance. The immature birds are mottled and patched with white. This species once came as far north as southern Florida, but now it is found only from Cuba southward. They frequent the mud banks at the various mouths of the Orinoco, and not long since were quite abundant on the coast of British Guiana.
The White-Faced Glossy Ibis, (Plegadis guarauna), is not a rare bird in captivity, and it will doubtless be possible to maintain this species perpetually in the Flying Cage and Aquatic-Bird House.
The Wood Ibis, (Tantalus loculator).—The Park obtains its supply of birds of this species from Florida, where they breed, in very greatly reduced numbers, on the headwaters of the St. Johns. This bird is a very satisfactory member of avian society. Although amply large to lord it over the other birds of the cage, he quarrels with none, but peacefully goes his way, feeling with the point of his beak along the sandy bottom of the pool for something edible, or standing in quiet meditation on the bank. Notwithstanding its common name, this bird is not an ibis, but a true stork. In its black and white plumage it is quite a handsome bird. Although not so fond of using its wings in captivity as are herons and egrets, the Wood Ibis is for many reasons a very welcome tenant.
The White Stork, (Ciconia ciconia), is as large as our wood ibis, which it strongly resembles in form and habits. This bird is literally the household bird of Germany, and its place in the family has now become of more importance than its place in nature. Throughout Holland, Germany, and very nearly the whole of eastern and central Europe, the White Stork is so prized and protected by the people that it has attained a state of semi-domestication. Nesting places are prepared for it, usually near or even upon human habitations, and it enjoys an immunity from molestation quite like that of the adjutant in India.
The Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias), is frequently called the “blue crane”; but the latter name is a misnomer. It properly belongs to our sandhill crane (Grus canadensis). Just why so large a number of people should be so persistent in this error is a psychological problem; but the fact remains that people will not say “heron.”
This Great Blue Heron is the largest and most noteworthy bird of our northern marshes. Thanks to the fact that it bears no desirable “plumes,” and its flesh is not edible, it has been permitted to live. When not molested, it becomes quite trustful, and when wading along a shore, fishing for minnows, it affords for the field-glass or the camera a very interesting subject. In summer these birds are quite numerous in the marshes along the Shrewsbury River, between Sandy Hook and Long Branch, and they are an unfailing source of interest to excursionists. It is sincerely to be hoped that the evil eye of “Dame Fashion” will not fall upon this bird, and cause its extermination.
The Great White Heron, (Ardea americana), is taller than the great blue heron, and it is the largest of all the white herons and egrets. Like the whooping crane, it is now a bird of such exceeding rarity that the procuring of a specimen may be counted a stroke of good fortune. In eight years the Zoological Park has secured only three specimens, all of which came from southern Florida.
The Little Blue Heron, (Florida caerulea).—The immature birds of this species are snowy white, and so closely resemble snowy herons of the same age, that only one well acquainted with both can distinguish between them. They are, however, separately recognized by the fact that the snowy heron has black legs, and a black bill, whereas the legs and bill of the Little Blue Heron are pale yellow. This species is still common in some parts of its Florida home, and occasionally a specimen strays as far north as Staten Island.
The Louisiana Heron, (Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis), once very numerous in Florida, is still found there, but in greatly reduced numbers. It ranges from Central America and the West Indies northward to the Gulf States, and occasionally to Long Island. The general coloring is dark blue, but a prominent distinguishing character is the chestnut brown on the sides of the neck.