170 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921 



lake and, as both sexes were seen, it is not unlikely that they breed 

 here. These birds were not cripples. 



11. Wood Duck. Aix sponsa (Linn.). 



To one familiar with the scarcity of this duck in the northern 

 states, its abundance in Lake Caddo was a revelation. From twelve 

 to over fifty birds were seen daily. Breeds commonly throughout 

 the region, and the general opinion seems to be that, while greatly 

 decreased in numbers over former years, the wood duck is at the 

 present time doing a little better than holding its own. However, 

 large numbers are undoubtedly killed during the hunting seasons 

 in the general duck slaughter which takes place on the lake. 



12. Wood Ibis. Mycteria americana Linn. 



A single individual was found in the tangle of cypress and 

 moss of Eagle Nest Island. Very rare in this part of the state. 



13. American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). 



Two bitterns were found in Goose Prairie, and three near 

 Baldwin. 



14. Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel.). 



Breeding in considerable numbers where suitable rushes afford 

 a nesting site. More common in bays and pockets than along the 

 lake proper. 



15. Ward Heron. Ardea hcrodias ivardi Ridgway. 



Seventeen nests were found on Eagle Nest Island. The nests 

 were placed in the tops of cypress trees, the lower branches being 

 occupied by the anhinga nests. The nests all contained young al- 

 most ready to fly. These birds were typically wardi. Other great 

 blue herons seen around the lake lead the writer to believe that 

 Ardea herodias hcrodias also occurs in the neighborhood, but he 

 is unable at the present time to offer any data. 



16. American Egret. Hcrodias egretta Gmelin. 



At the edge of this same herony, which contained ward herons 

 and anhingas, two nests of this species were found — the last rem- 

 nant of a colony. Once abundant about Caddo, this species is prac- 

 tically gone from this region. It is highly possible that in other, 

 more inaccessible sections of the vast cypress swamp surrounding 

 the lake there are other isolated remnants, and perhaps also some 

 Egretta canididissma, and it might be possible, by jealous guarding 

 of this area, to bring back these nearly exterminated species to 

 the avifaima of Texas. 



17. Louisiana Heron. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). 

 Common in all parts of the lake visited. Breeds on Eagle Nest 



Island. 



18. Little Blue Heron. Florida caerulea Linn. 



A small colony breeds on Eagle Nest Island. When this herony 

 was visited the young were for the most part out of the nest. Both 

 adults and young were often seen about the lake. 



