Home › S › Sept (Sing Sing A V)

Sept (Sing Sing A V)

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 uttermost 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. Ardea rufescens Gmel. REDDISH EGRET. Ad., dark phase.- Head and neck rufous-chestnut, glossed with vinaceous; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; about thirty "aigrette" plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black. Im.-Similar, but without the "aigrette" plumes. White phase. Similar in size and form, but entire plumage white, except the tips of the primaries, which are sometimes very finely speckled with grayish. Im.-Similar, but without the "aigrette" plumes. L., 29.00; W., 12.50; Tar., 5.40; B., 3.60.