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.