616 OKNITIIOLOGY. 



and from this we obtained the three specimens enumerated below, kiHinjy 

 them all at a single shot. We approached them under cover of the willows 

 along the river, and found them busily engaged in feeding among the 

 aquatic plants in a slough entirely hennned in by* a dense growth of wil- 

 lows, each individual uttering a hoarse, but low, croaking note, as it waded 

 about. It is still an unsettled question whether this bird is not merely the 

 first plumage of the /. guarauna ; but there are important considerations, 

 geographical and otherwise, which induce us to consider it a distinct 

 species until future developments prove the contrary 



List of specimens. 



159, i ad.; Humboldt KiviT, Nevada (Uamp 17), Seijtoraber 3, 1807. 2'^— 3S^— 

 11 — 8g — 5y^^ — 4 — i — L'J. Bill, pale greeni-sh horii-bhu', becoiuiug blackisli tenniiially 

 and basally ; iri-s, hazel ; tarsi and toes, deep black. 



100, 9 (1(1; same locality and date. 21— 37— lOj^SJj — 4^7^_3yV— 33— 1}|. Same 

 remarks. 



IGl, 9 jiic; same locality and date. 19|— 344—10— 75—4— 2^ — SJ— 1^. Same 

 remarks. 



Family ARDEIDJ]— Herons. 

 Akdea herodias. 



Orcat Blue' Heron. 



Ardea herodias, LiNN., Syst. Nat., I, 1700, 237.— IUird, Birds N. Am., lSi58, 007; 

 Oat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 4S7.— CouES, Key, 1872, 207; Check List, 1873, 

 No. 449; Birds N.W., 1874, 517.— IIenshaw, 1875, 404. 



The Great Blue Heron was abundant about all bodies of water afford- 

 ing it a plentiful supply of food. It was particularly numerous at Pyra- 

 mid Lake, where it built upon the rocky islands. One colony had their 

 nests on the large grease-wood bushes on the southern portion of the niiiin 

 island, each nest being placed directly on top of the bush, at a height of 

 about five or six feet from the ground. These nests were very bulk}', being 

 several feet in diameter and of proportionate depth, but they were olal)- 

 orately made ; each contained from three to four young, about half-fledged, 

 but very active and sauc}^, who, when disturbed, opened wide their bills 

 and made spiteful thrusts, at the same time uttering an admonishing hiss. 

 Un the Pyramid were several other nests, placed among the naked rocks at 

 varying heights from the water. 



