In the following spring, at which time they have grown much, the
elongated feathers of the breast and shoulders are seen, the males shew
the commencement of the pendent crest, and the top of the head has become
white. None breed at this age, in so far as I have been able to observe.
The second spring, they have a handsome appearance, the upper
parts have [become light, the black and white marks are much purer,
and some have the crest three or four inches in length. Some breed
at this age. The third spring, the Great Blue Heron is as represented
in the plate.
The males are somewhat larger than the females, but there is very
little difference between the sexes in external appearance. This species
moults in the Southern States about the beginning of May, or as soon as
the young are hatched, and one month after the pendent crest is dropped,
and much of the beauty of the bird is gone for the season. The weight
of a full grown Heron of this kind, when it is in good condition, is about
eight pounds; but this varies very much according to circumstances, and
I have found some having all the appearance of old birds that did not
exceed six pounds. The stomach consists of a long bag, thinly covered
by a muscular coat, and is capable of containing several fishes at a time.
The intestine is not thicker than the quill of a swan, and measures from
eight and a half to nine feet in length.
ARDEA HERODIAS, Linn. Syst. Nat vol i. p. 237«—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 692.
—Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. p. 304.
GREAT HERON, ARDEA HERODIAS, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vii. p. 106. pi. 61.
Fig. l.—Nuttall, Manual, voL ii. p. 42.
Adult Male in spring. Plate CCXI.
Bill much longer than the head, straight, compressed, tapering to a
point, the mandibles nearly equal; upper mandible with the dorsal line
nearly straight, the ridge broadly convex at the base, narrowed towards
the end, a groove from the base to near the tip, beneath which the sides
are convex, the edges extremely thin and sharp, towards the end broken
into irregular serratures, the tip acute. Lower mandible with the angle
extremely narrow and elongated, the dorsal line beyond it ascending, and
slightly curved, the ridge convex, the sides flattish and ascending, the
edges as in the upper, the tip acuminate. Nostrils basal, linear, longitudinal,
with a membrane above and behind.
Heron sailed slowly towards the ground, where it no doubt found the
fish. On one occasion of this kind, the Hawk dropped the fish in the
water, when the Heron, as if vexed that it was lost to him, continued to
harass the Hawk, and forced it into the woods.
The flight of the Great Blue Heron is even, powerful, and capable of
being protracted to a great distance. On rising from the ground or on
leaving its perch, it goes off in silence with extended neck and dangling
legs, for eight or ten yards, after which it draws back its neck, extends
its feet in a straight line behind, and with easy and measured flappings
continues its course, at times flying low over the marshes, and again, as if
suspecting danger, at a considerable height over the land or the forest.
It removes from one pond or creek, or even from one marsh to another,
in a direct manner, deviating only on apprehending danger. When about
to alight, it now and then sails in a circular direction, and when near the
spot it extends its legs, and keeps its wings stretched out until it has effected
a footing. The same method is employed when it alights on a
tree, where, however, it does not appear to be as much at its ease as on the
ground. When suddenly surprised by an enemy, it utters several loud
discordant notes, and mutes the moment it flies off.
This species takes three years in attaining maturity, and even after
that period it still increases in size and weight. When just hatched they
have a very uncouth appearance, the legs and neck being very long, as
well as the bill. By the end of a-week the head and neck are sparingly
covered with long tufts of silky down, of a dark grey colour, and the
body exhibits young feathers, the quills large with soft blue sheaths.
The tibio-tarsal joints appear monstrous, and at this period the bones of
the leg are so soft, that one may bend them to a considerable extent without
breaking them. At the end of four weeks, the body and wings are
well covered with feathers of a dark slate colour, broadly margined with
ferruginous, the latter colour shewing plainly on the thighs and the flexure
of the wing; the bill has grown wonderfully, the legs would not now easily
break, and the birds are able to stand erect on the nest or on the objects
near it. They are now seldom fed oftener than once a-day, as if their
parents were intent on teaching them that abstinence without which it
would often be difficult for them to subsist in their after life. At the
age of six or seven weeks they fly off, and at once go in search of food,
each by itself.