616 ORNITHOLOGY. 



and from this we oljtained the three specimens enumerated below, kilHng 

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

 along the I'iver, and found them busily engaged in feeding among the 

 aqiuitic 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 Ijird is not merely the 

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

 geographical and otherwise, ■\\hicli induce us to consider it a distinct 

 species until future developments prove the contrary 

 List of specimens. 



159, (? ad.; IliiinboUlt River, Nevada (Gamp 17), September 3, 18G7. 2'{— 3S;i— 

 11 — 8g — Oy^^ — 4 — 4— 2J. Bill, pale greeuish lioru-blue, becomiug blackish tertniiially 

 ami basally; iris, bazel ; tarsi and toes, deep black. 



IGO, 9 n<J.; same locality aud date. 21— 37— 10|— SJ^— 4tV— 3/,!— SJ— 1 ] •;;. .Same 

 remarks. 



IGl, 9JH('.; same locality and date. l!»;<_34i— 10— 7;l-4— 2S— 3J— 1;/. Same 

 remarks. 



Family A RDElDiE— Herons. 

 Ardea herodias. 



Oroat Blue Heron. 



Ardea herodias, Linn., Syst. Nat., I, 17G0, 237.— Baird, Birds N. Am., 1858, GG7; 

 Gat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 487.— GouES, Key, 1872, 2G7; Check List, 1873, 

 No. 449; Birds N.W., 1874, 517.— Henshaw, 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 main 

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

 about five or six feet froni the ground. These uests were very bulky, being 

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

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

 but very active and saucy, who, when disturbed, opened wide theii' bills 

 and made spiteful thrusts, at the same time uttering an admonisliing liiss. 

 On the Pyramid were several other nests, placed aiuong the naked i-ocks at 

 varying heights from the water. 



