Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, Lecture on Natural History 25. (ca. 1799). Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40. / https://ansp.org/research/library/archives/0000-0099/coll0040/
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote, in his 25th Lecture (ca. 1799): "731. Little Egret. The size of a common fowl; crest long and full; the plumage wholly white; the feathers of the back & breast resemble hair; feet black; and toes yellow of cream colour; bill black; irides yellow. Ardea Garzetta Linn. L'aigrette Buff. pl. enl. 901. Little Egret Latham No. 59. Pennant No. 347. It is found from New York to Georgia; about the black & Caspian Seas; but seldon farther north. It is said they are found in France and the south of Europe. Migrates into Austria in spring and Autumn. Is frequent in Senegal, Madagascar, Isle de Bourbon, and Siam." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Peale continued: "Very probably that those of Europe may be different from ours, but this cannot be ascertained until they are brought together; the description of that of Europe is much shorter than that of America." Peale also described (as a variety) an apparently immature specimen, which had black legs like the Great Egret (Ardea alba): "730. is a variety of the [Great Egret], with feet and base of the bill green, rather smaller than the preceeding." (ANSP Archives, coll. 40)
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) described this species under the name "Snowy Heron / Ardea candidissima" in American Ornithology vol. 7 (Pl. 62), where "Peale's Museum, No. 3785" was cited (Wilson 1813: 120). / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175507#page/140/mode/1up (text) / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175507#page/128/mode/1up (plate)
Notes:
The “black" feet of Peale's specimen (vs. yellow) were probably an artifact of post-mortem color change, since the toes were still yellow.
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Snowy Egret
Current Scientific Name
Ardeidae | Egretta thula
