Page 23 - Animals of the Sakhalin Region in myths and legends

Egret intermediate

(Egretta intermedia)

Body length about 70 cm. The plumage
is loose, pure white in color. In the breeding
plumage, long loose feathers (egrettes)
stand out on the back, protruding 10–15 cm
beyond the tip of the tail. On the underside of
the neck and craw there are loose feathers up
to 20 cm long, forming a «mane». There are
no elongated feathers on the head. Seasonal
changes in beak coloration are characteristic.
Larger in size than small and yellow-beaked,
but smaller than southern and great egrets.
At close range, it is noticeable that in the
average egret, the corner of the mouth ends
directly under the eye, and does not go much
further, as in the great egret.
Food items — fish, frogs, insects.
During periods of seasonal migrations and summer migrations, herons are seen on Sakhalin,
Kunashir, Shikotan and Moneron islands. General distribution — South, Southeast Asia,
Africa, Australia. The nearest nesting area is South Primorye.

Once upon a time there lived in the swamp Crane and Heron. They built themselves

a hut at the ends. It became boring for the crane to live alone, and he decided to
marry.
— Let me go and devote myself to the Heron!
Crane goes — tyap-tyap! — kneading the swamp for seven miles.
Comes and says:
— Is the Heron at home?
— At home.

— Marry me!
— No, Crane, I will not marry you: your legs are strange, your dress is short, you
fly badly yourself, and you have nothing to feed me with! Get off, lanky!
Crane went home unwillingly. The heron afterwards thought: «Than live alone, I’d
rather go to marry Crane».
She comes to Crane and says:

— Crane, marry me!
— No, Heron, I don’t need you! I don’t want to marry, I won’t marry you. Get out.

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