| The great egret is a bird that is found
in many parts of the world. It has a yellow bill, black feet and
legs. The great egret is about 40 inches long. The snowy egret is
found in North and South America. It has white fur, black bill, and yellow
legs. It is about 25 inches long. Both males and females have plumes
called aigrettes. The plumes were once greatly sought by hat makers.
Egrets breed in large colonies and lay
three to six bluish eggs in nests made in mashes. They eat tiny animals
such as grasshoppers, lizards and toads. Egrets were slaughtered by plume
hunters. Most countries now have laws protecting these birds. |
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