GREEN HERON 153 



shrill cry of kildcc, or dec, dec. This cry is unmistak- 

 able and as distinguishing as their peculiar markings. 

 Killdeer are found most commonly in the vicinity 

 of water. While few nest in the District of Columbia, 

 they are not uncommon in Montgomery County, 

 Maryland, and are said to breed abundantly about 

 Gainesville and Manassas and other places in Vir- 

 ginia. The nest is in the grass and the four blotched 

 eggs are pear-shaped. 



King Rail : Rallus elcgaiis. 



Length 15 inches. 



Upper parts blackish, the feathers edged with oHve-gray; 

 chin white and some white on wings. 



. Neck and breast bright chestnut; belly and sides dark 

 brown barred with white. 



The downy young are black. 



An uncommon summer resident; may occur in winter. 



The King Rail is also called Fresh-water Marsh- 

 hen, which name indicates his haunts. All Rails are 

 timid and hide in heavy grass, only flying when forced. 



The nest is on the ground in a tussock of grass. 

 The eggs, 7 to 12, are bufTy, much speckled with 

 brown. 



Green Heron; Fly-up-the-Creek : Ardea vircscens. 



Length 18 inches. 



Upper parts and low crest bright glossy green; long neck, 

 bright chestnut. 



Lower parts grayish. 



Resident (common) from April 15 to September; winters 

 from Florida southward. 



Herons are quaint, foreign-looking birds with their 

 long necks and low plumy crests. The Green Heron 

 is likely to be found in any damp woods near water. 

 Its nest is in trees or bushes, and is only a platform 



