1887.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 649 



43. Botaurus exilis (G.mel. ). Least Bittern. 



Dresser states that this Bittern is " occasionally seen at Sail Autonio," 

 but it does uot appear to have been met with by either Seuuett, Han- 

 cock, or Brown. 



Genus ARDEA Linx.eus. 



44. Ardea herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. 



1 saw several of the.«e Herons on the nuul flats at the mouth of the 

 Kio Nueces. Hancock also notes its occurrence there, and Sennett 

 says it is " very numerous about Corpus Christ! Bay, breeding abun 

 dantly on the islands in the Nueces Bay and Lagoona Madre near tin' 

 head of Padre Island." I did not observe the bird at any other idace, 

 but Browu states that it is occasionally seen at Boerue. 



45. Ardea egretta Gmef.. American Egret. 



Dresser shot three of these Egrets on different occasions during his 

 prolonged stay at San Antonio. "Common up the Nueces River near 

 Corpus Christi. Breeding in company with the Great Blue and a few 

 Jieddish Egrets. * * * On March 24 nests contained from one to 

 four fresh eggs each." (Sennett.) 



46. Ardea candidissinia G.mel. Snowy Heron. 



Dresser saw one or two of these herons near San Antonio in the 

 spring of 1861:, and Sennett saw it occasionally about Corpus Christi 

 Bay, but did not tiiid it breeding there. 



47. Ardea rufescens Gmel. Redtlisli Egret. 



Dresser, quoting Dr. Heermauu, states that it is not uncommon near 

 San Antonio and in eastern Texas during the summer months. Sen- 

 nett found a few nests, March 24, on a sniall shell island at the mouth 

 of the Nueces River, and in Lagoona Madre, some 25 miles from 

 Corpus Christi, he found them breeding in great numbers. Hancock 

 found the species common on the Nueces River flats, where he obtained 

 a nest and live eggs. 



48. Ardea pealei Buxap. Peale's Egret. 



"Not uncommon near San Antonio and in eastern Texas during the 

 summer months. A. L. Heermann" (Dresser). 



49. Ardea tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). Louisiana Heron. 



"Common at Matamoros and also near San Antonio. * * * At 

 San Antonio I have shot them so late in the season that I think it not 

 improbable that some few may remain there over the winter" (Dresser.) 

 Sennett saw a few on the Nueces River flats, near Corpus Christi, dur- 

 ing the latter part of March. 



50. Ardea ccerulea Linn. Little Blue Heron. 



Dresser observed one or two near San Antonio and Sennett saw a few 

 about Nueces Bay during the last days of March. 



