The very various periods named make it probable that the periodical return of the phoenix belongs only to vulgar legend, materializing what the priests knew to be symbolic. Of the birds of the heron family the gorgeous colours and plumed head spoken of by Pliny and others would be least inappropriate to the purple heron (Ardea purpurea), with which, or with the allied Ardea cinerea, it has been identified by Lepsius and Peters (Alteste Texte des Todtenbuchs, 1867, p. 51).
But the golden and purple hues described by Herodotus may be the colours of sunrise rather than the actual hues of the purple heron.
An adult Purple Heron dropping in to the reeds and a female Marsh Harrier causing Pandemonium among the duck and waders added further excitement.
