20 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 9 



see one or two of these birds hanging up in the meat markets. There is a 

 mounted specimen in a local taxidermist's shop, evidently prepared many years 

 ago. At present swans are rarely seen and in a few years more will doubtless 

 vanish forever. 



Whitk-faced Glossy Ibis. Plegadis guarauna (Linnaeus). 



The occurrence of this Ibis during July and August, sometimes in large 

 flocks, has been noted throughout the marshy country near Wheatville. July 13, 

 191 1, four individuals were seen flying over the water in a vast overflowed area. 



August 23, 1908, two were seen flying over the vineyard near the Tarpey 

 Ranch, northeast of Fresno. They were traveling toward the mountains, and 

 as their appearance was noted early in the morning it is possible that they had 

 flown out of their course during the night. 



I do not know of any breeding colony in this part of the valley, but the 

 species is known to breed near Los Banos, in Merced County. It would not be 

 surprising if a colony were to be found in the tule swamps between Wheatville 

 and Summit Lake. 



May 30, 19 1 2, large numbers of Ibis were seen feeding in flocks along the 

 roadside north of Firebaugh. They gave little heed to a passing automobile, but 

 flew up in confusion when a train passed. I should estimate the number of 

 birds seen at not less than five hundred. As they fed over the soft muddy 

 ground, probing with their long sickle bills, I tried to decide what of my avian 

 acquaintances they most resembled. Their glistening bronzy plumage and 

 dignified demeanor suggested a flock of turkeys, but certain of their actions 

 were not unlike a flock of crows. 



May 20, 1912, a lone Ibis was noted near a shallow salt-grass pond six 

 miles southwest of Fresno. He had a lonesome, dejected attitude, as he stood 

 humped up on the muddy bank paying no attention to the noisy Stilts that were 

 nesting all about, nor to the two pairs of friendly little Cinnamon Teal that some- 

 times swam quite near. When too closely approached this Ibis gave a dismal 

 cry and flew to the opposite side of the pond. 



American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). 



The Bittern appears to be a fairly common resident of the swampy areas 

 near Wheatville. December 2, 1904, two individuals were seen, one in a thick 

 growth of marsh grass and cockleburrs, the other being flushed from some small 

 willows along a dead slough. December 6, 1905, another one was seen, and 

 April 7, 1906, a fourth specimen was observed. 



July 13, 1911, while enjoying an automobile trip through the west side 

 country, I observed a Bittern standing in the mud in a small sink, where her 

 only companion was a cow. Upon passing the same place a couple of hours later 

 the bird was seen crouching beside a large tuft of grass, looking intently at the 

 muddy water. As a rule this bird is not so willing to be observed. 



Some boys once gave me two eggs that were unquestionably those of the 

 Bittern. They had found two nests, late in June in a large pasture, the nests 

 being built in the rank grass not far from a slough. Five eggs were said to be 

 the complement in each case. 



