lO Scott on the Birds of yumaica. [January 



52. Ardea egretta Gmel. American Egret. — Apparently a rare or 

 accidental species in Jamaica. See Sclater, P. Z. S. 1861, pp., 70 So; also 

 March, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 63. 



53. Ardea candidissima Gmel. Snowy Heron. — Gosse regarded 

 this species as a rare migrant visitor in winter ('Birds of Jamaica,' pp. 336, 

 337), and Mr. Taylor says : "'Occasionally seen in the winter months." 



54. Ardea rufescens Gmel. Reddish Egret. — Included from the 

 record hy March, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1S64. p. 63. 



55. Ardea tricolor ruficoUis (G(?5.«p). Louisiana Heron. — This seems 

 the commonest Heron of the island, but is much more abundant on the 

 southern than the northern shore. The following notes are from Mr. 

 Taylor's experience: "This was the most coinmon Heron seen at Port 

 Henderson. The swamps and shallows in the earl}- part of the day fairly 

 teemed with them, yet they were shy and very difficult to approach from 

 the open. The nests were in the highest mangrove trees, deep in the 

 recesses of the swamps. When disturbed or alarmed at feeding they re- 

 tired in a body to the tallest trees in the most inaccessible parts of the 

 swamps, coming back, however, immediately when the danger appeared 

 over. The birds were very restless at feeding time, making short flights 

 here and there, and constantly changing positions, so that the scene was 

 usually a very animated one. Many nests had young in June, while 

 fresh eggs were obtained in the same month.'' 



56. Ardea ccerulea Linn. Little Blue Heron. — A common resi- 

 dent and observed at many points during my staj'. From Mr. Taylor's 

 notes I quote as follows : "Next to A. tricolor ruficollis the most abun- 

 dant Heron at Port Henderson, breeding in numbers in all the swamps; 

 of a large number of eggs taken in July more than half were taken in a 

 very advanced state of incubation. Pied or parti-colored birds are not 

 infrequent and many young on leaving the nest show a large proportion 

 of blue in the plumage. The white phase is common." 



57. Ardea virescens Linn. Green Heron — Met with at Stony Hill 

 once, and it was rather common about Boston. Mr. Taylor writes me : 

 "I did not meet with one of these birds during all my stay at Port Hen- 

 derson, thoug'n they are of common occurrence elsewhere, especially 

 among the mangroves at the Pallisades. Like the little Bittern this spe- 

 cies is only seen singly, and I have met with it along the banks of rivers 

 many miles from the sea. It is resident and breeds, but I know nothing 

 of its nesting habits." 



58. Nycticorax iiycticorax naevius {Bodd.). Black-crowned Night 

 Heron. — Mr. Taylor has not seen this species, nor did I meet with it. 

 The records of Gosse ('Birds of Jamaica,' pp. 344-346) and of March 

 (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1S64, p. 65) are warrants for its admission 

 to this list. 



59. Nycticorax violaceus (/,/««.). Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — 

 This species I met with several times while on the island, where it is resi- 

 dent and of common occurrence locally. Subjoined are Mr. Taylor's in- 

 teresting notes : "Common in all extensive mangrove swamps. Breeds. 



