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What is "ardea alba"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ardea alba

Egret \E"gret\, n. [See Aigret, Heron.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) The name of several species of herons which bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret ( Ardea egretta syn. Herodias egretta); the great egret ( Ardea alba); the little egret ( Ardea garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret ( Ardea candidissima).

    A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage.
    --G. W. Cable.

  2. A plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress, or anything imitating such an ornament; an aigrette.

  3. (Bot.) The flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or achenes, as the down of the thistle.

  4. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of ape.