34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 79 



This bird does not seem to be able to carry anything weighty in 

 its beak. It has been seen to pick up and let fall objects that would 

 give gulls little trouble to carry. Near Chatham Island one picked 

 up a small object and let it fall a dozen times before becoming 

 discouraged and abandoning it. 



There seems to have been a great mortality among the man-o'-war 

 birds, for in all the nesting places visited many skeletons were found 

 on the nests or on the ground underneath. No evidence of such 

 marked mortality was found among boobies and other species 

 nesting in the vicinity. 



ARDEA HERODIAS COGNATA Bangs 



Galapagos blue heron 



Ardea hcrodias cognata Bangs, Proc. New England Zotil. Club, vol. 3. 

 February 6, 1903, p. 100. (Indefatigable Island, Galapagos Islands.) 



Great blue herons were seen at Tower and Indefatigable Islands, 

 and at Postoffice Bay, Charles Island, at a lagoon, one allowed itself 

 to be approached to within 10 feet, when it flew and alighted again a 

 short distance away. With their formidable bills these great birds 

 have probably trained the dogs and cats which roam the islands 

 to have proper respect for them. 



CASMERODIUS ALBUS EGRETTA (Gmelin) 



American egret 



Ardca cgretta Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 629. (Cayenne.) 



One was reported seen on Tower Island, June 15. None was 

 found on Albemarle Island where it has been stated they have bred. 



DEMIGRETTA SACRA SACRA (Gmelin) 



Reef heron 



Ardca sacra Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 640. (Tahiti.) 

 A female collected at Eiao in the Marquesas Islands on September 

 28, 1929, is entirely in dark plumage except for the white throat. 

 This species was found sparingly in the Marquesas and Tuamotu 

 group. On Fatuhiva, one was seen well back among the hills along 

 a stream, while the one secured at Eiao was feeding on the outlying 

 tide rocks. No individual in the white phase of plumage was 

 observed. Although noted about at sunset its pernoctalian traits 

 were not as marked as in our night heron. At Toau, Tuamotu 

 Island, as we passed a cabin, a tame one of this species was per- 

 sistent in its attempt to follow us. Mild discipline had no effect 

 on it, so the owner laughingly had to pick it up and carry it home. 

 The native name was " gay-too-sir." Later this bird was seen in the 

 cabin associated with the children, and on the outside with chickens 



