1908 ^1 Beyer, Allison and Kopman, Birds of Louisiana. 175 



pairs were seen on East Timbalier Island in June, 1907, where apparently 

 they were breeding with the large colony of Louisiana Herons. East Tim- 

 balier is now a government reservation. A colony at Avery Island is 

 given protection by E. A. Mcllhenny. It is doubtful whether this species 

 ever wintered in large numbers in Louisiana. 



75. Reddish Egret (Dichromanassa rufescens). Rather common as a 

 breeder along the coast, but disappearing more or less completely in 

 winter. 



76. Louisiana Heron (Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis). This species 

 breeds chiefly in the grass and bushes of several islands off the Louisiana 

 coast instead of in swamp "rookeries" on the mainland, as in the case of 

 the other species. There are large colonies at East Timbalier and other 

 islands. The colony at East Timbalier numbers about 1750. Nearly 

 all stages of nesting were observed when this colony was visited early in 

 June, 1907. 



77. Little Blue Heron (Florida ccerulea). This is the commonest of 

 the herons of Louisiana; in winter, however, it is almost entirely absent. 

 It arrives at the latitude of the coast early in March. The flocks of return- 

 ing migrants are usually small, and single birds are frequently seen. Long 

 irregular flocks, with white birds usually preponderating, are seen travel- 

 ing over well defined routes at the approach of autumn. The spring birds, 

 when the species first returns, are most freqviently seen on cloudy and windy 

 days, traveling at a considerable height. This species is undoubtedly one 

 of the commoner large migrants at night throughout much of the spring, 

 especially on wet nights or when stormy weather prevails. The favorite 

 resorts of the Little Blue Heron are heavy swamps rather than open 

 marshes. Rookeries occur at various localities throughout the wetter 

 parts of the State. One that lies a few miles south of New Orleans is 

 situated where swampy woods give way to fresh water marsh. The nests 

 are chiefly in willows. Yellow-crowned Night Herons are included in the 

 same colony. Nesting is usually well under way by May 1. 



78. Green Heron (5utonrfest;ire.scens). The Green Heron does not 

 arrive in Southern Louisiana in large numbers until the end of March. The 

 migration appears to be performed entirely at night. Great numbers 

 may usually be heard on wet or windy nights throughout April. This 

 species is about as common in suitable localities inland as near the coast. 



79. Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius). 

 This species is commoner in winter than in summer, but it has been found 

 breeding in the vicinity of Lake Maurepas (Beyer), ana has been found on 

 East Timbalier Island early in June (Kopman). 



80. Yellow-crowned Night Heron {Nydanassa violacea). Chiefly 

 if not exclusively, a summer visitor, arriving the end of February or early 

 in March, and being heard in night migration with the other herons through- 

 out the spring. In summer, also, the voice of this bird may be frequently 

 heard at night, movements to and from the feeding grounds apparently 

 occurring with great frequency during the hours of darkness. The swamps 



