and white ibis ( Eudocimus albus ). The reddish egret has been recorded once 

 as having nested on Cat Island, but the evidence is not conclusive ( Imhof 

 1976). Among the seabirds, the least tern ( Sterna antillarum ) also nests on 

 Cat Island in sandy areas. Because of habitat loss throughout the U.S., this 

 species is considered threatened in Florida (Kale 1978), and it should 

 probably be considered a "species of special concern" elsewhere according to 

 a personal communication from Alexander Sprunt IV, National Audubon Society, 

 Tavernier, FL. 



MOBILE DELTA 



Figure 1. Distribution of wading bird nesting colonies 

 (Johnson 1979; O'Neil and Mettee 1982). 



in coastal Alabama 



