North American Birds Eggs. 



95 



are very similar to those of tlie Blue Heron. Size of eggf>. 2.25 x 1.80. Data. 



Outside of Torch Key, Florida, June !(!, 18Si;». Nest a platform of sticks about 

 five feet from the ground, in a mangrove tree. Three ef,'j,'s. Collector, (). Tollin. 



194. Great Blue Heron. A nlea hrrodias. 



[Pale greenish blue. 



Ranjre. — Nearly the whole of North America, except the extreme north; resi- 

 dent south (jf the middle portions of the United States and migratory north of 

 there. 



This handsome Heron is 

 about four feet in length. Its 

 general color is a bluish gray, 

 relieved by a black crest, prim- 

 aries and patches on the sides, 

 and a while crown. In the 

 south they breed in large 

 colonies, often in company with 

 many other species. In the 

 northern portions of their 

 range they breed singly or in 

 companies of under a hundred 

 individuals. They generally 

 place their rude platforms of 

 sticks well up in trees, near 

 ponds, swamps or rivers, but in 

 the most northerly parts of their 

 range, where trees are scarce, 

 they often build on the ground. 

 Unless they are disturbed, they 

 return to the same breeding grounds, year after year. They lay from three to 

 five eggs of a greenish blue color. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data.— Duck Island, 

 Maine, May 20, 1883. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and twigs, about fifteen feet 

 from the ground. Collector, R. B. Gray. 



194a. Northwest Coast Heron. Ardea firrodias faimini. 



This darker sub-species of the preceding is found along the Pacific coast, 

 north to Sitka, Alaska. Its nests and eggs do not differ from the former species. 



194b. Ward Heron. Ardra hcrodUii^ ivcirdi. 



This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is a lighter variety than the 

 common. It nests together with the Great Blue Heron and its habits are the 

 same. 



[195.] European Blue Heron. Ardcii riiurra. 



This species is only an accidental straggler in Greenland. It is very similar 

 to our Blue Heron and is the one which was formerly used to furnish sport for 

 the royalty when falconry was at its height. 



196. American Egret. Hcmdids (yriifa. 



Range. — Resident in the southern portions of the United States, straggling 

 northward casually to the northern parts. 



This is one of the beautiful Herons which have been sought liy plume hunters 

 till they are upon the verge of extermination. They are entirely white, with a 

 long train of beautiful straight "aigrettes" flowing from the middle of the back. 



