EGRET (Fr. aigrette, diminutive of dia lectic (won, OF. hiron, Fr. 11( ron. heron). A name often given to various species of heron (q.v.), particularly those of White plumage Whiell, at least during the breeding season, have the feathers on the lower part of the hack lengthened and their barbs loose. so that this part of the plumage is very soft and (lowing. These plumes are used for ornamental purposes. (See ArmtET.) In old English bills of fare egrets arc mentioned as if they were abundant; and not fewer than 1000 `egrittes' are included in the bill of fare of a single great feast, given at the enthronization of George Neville. Arch bishop of York, in the reign of Edward 1V.: but these Weie really, no doubt, lapwings. Two species of egret are known in Europe—a large one tirdva aaa) and a small one (.trdea gar zetta). In the southern United States three species of heron are known as egrets, the Ameri can egret ( A rdea egret ta). the snowy egret
(.1rdea randitlissinia), and the reddish egret (.trdea rufescrns). All three were formerly abundant to a remarkable degree in Florida, but are now rare, owing to persistent destruction of them in the breeding season. for the sake of their plumes. Few chapters in American orni thology are so sad as the story of the slaughter of Florida's herons to supply the demands of an inexcusable and barbarous fashion. 'flue reddish egret is of special interest because it illustrates the curious phenomenon known as diehromatisin, some of the birds being pure white, while others are dark bluish slate color, and this difference does not seem to be connected with age, sex. or season. See DICIIROMATISII ; HERON, and Plate Of WADING BIRDS.