198. Reddish Egret. Dichromanassa rufescens. 



WADING BIRDS 



Range. — In the United States, this species is 

 confined chiefly to the Gulf States. 



It is somewhat larger than the last species, the 

 head and neck are rufous, the l)ody is bluish gray, 

 and the back is adorned with slender gray plumes. 

 It also has a white phase. This Egret is very 

 abundant along the whole Gulf coast, but especial- 



Pale bluish green 



ly so in Texas. Their nesting habits are identi- 

 cal with those of the other small Herons and 

 Egrets. The three or four eggs are rather of a 

 more greenish blue than the preceding. Size 1.90 

 X 1.45. Data. — Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. 

 Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a but- 

 ton-wood tree, two feet above the water. Collec- 

 tor, George Graham. 



199. Louisiana Heron. Hydranassa tricolor 

 ruficollis. 



Range. — Subtropical America, north regularly 

 to the Gulf States and casually farther. 



This Heron is of about the size of the Reddish 

 Egret, but the neck is longer, more slender and 

 dark, while the chin, throat and underparts 

 are white. The plumes from the back are 

 short, reaching barely to the end of the 

 tail. They nest in large colonies in com- 

 pany with Egrets and Little Blue Herons, 

 placing their nests in the mangroves, only 

 a few feet above the water. Their nests are 

 the same as those of the other species, a 

 slight platform of sticks, and the three to 

 five eggs are practically not distinguishable 

 from those of the Snowy or Little Blue 

 Herons. Size 1.75 x 1.35. 



123 



rm 



Ueddish Egret 



Louisiana Heron 



Pale bluish green 



