. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. i8o BIRDS OF AMERICA HERON FAMILY Order Herodioiics: suborder Hcrodii; family Ardeida S hungry as a Heron " is a simile which should mean much to a student of birds, for Herons as a class are gaunt and voracious creatures who always seem to be half famished, and actually are more or less emaciated, no matter how plentiful is their food supply. Structurally the family is characterized by the possession of four toes, with the hind one on the same plane as the three front ones, and the claw of the middle one equipped with a comb-like process on th
. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. i8o BIRDS OF AMERICA HERON FAMILY Order Herodioiics: suborder Hcrodii; family Ardeida S hungry as a Heron " is a simile which should mean much to a student of birds, for Herons as a class are gaunt and voracious creatures who always seem to be half famished, and actually are more or less emaciated, no matter how plentiful is their food supply. Structurally the family is characterized by the possession of four toes, with the hind one on the same plane as the three front ones, and the claw of the middle one equipped with a comb-like process on the inner side; a slender body, long neck, and a long and sharply pointed bill; comparatively long but noticeably rounded wings; and a bare space about the eyes and on the sides of the head. There is great variation in the plumage, which is free and pliable, and is likely to be extended on the back, as in the case of the beautiful nuptial plumes of the Egrets. On the abdomen, rump, and certain other parts are curious patches of down which are char- acteristic of the family. Several of the American Herons are gregarious during the breeding period, when large colonies place their bulky nests near together in tree-tops; but in their feeding habits they usually are solitary. Some species capture their prey by standing motionless and waiting for it to come within reach; others pursue on foot frogs, crawfish, and the like in shallow water. Their flight is deliberate, but powerful and certain, and is accomplished by incessant flap- ping, and little or no sailing or soaring. Unlike the Cranes and Ibises, the Herons in flight carry the neck folded and the head drawn in near the shoulders. Their eggs number from three or four to six, are unspotted and are whitish or bluish-green in color. Of the true Herons there are about twelve species, which are from one foot to four feet and more in length. The family is represented in virtually all parts of the North American continent excepting the r
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Keywords: ., bookauthorpearsont, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookyear1923
