FAMILY ArdeidcB 



tall marsh grass and tules, feeding along the 

 edges in the mud and slime, probing for the 

 small marine life to be found there. Though 

 shy at times, it may usually be seen swim- 

 ming about in the open water in small flocks, 

 or standing on a log sunning itself. If 

 frightened, it takes a running start with much 

 pattering of feet along the surface of the 

 water but when once in the air makes good 

 progress. It may be identified at a distance 

 by the bobbing motion of its head as it swims, 

 and its distinctly whitish bill in contrast 

 with its blackish plumage. 



Coots are noisy birds and keep the marsh 

 ringing with their cries, especially towards 

 evening or early in the morning. They build 

 their nests in the thick cover of the marsh, 

 more elevated than those of the grebe, and 

 better built of grass and reeds. They lay 

 from five to ten whitish eggs thickly spotted 

 with fine black or brownish dots. The young 

 are black when first hatched and have red bills. 



FAMILY ARDEID.E: HERONS AND 

 EGRETS 



Great blue heron, Ardea herodias 



^^^ herodias, 46.00 



Distribution: North America in general 



from Hudson Bay south to northern South 



146 



