Vol. XXXIl 

 1914 



J GoLSAN AND HoLT, Birds of Alabama. 217 



16. Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. ' Wild 

 Goose.' — Observed in considerable numbers dui'ing migrations. Occa- 

 sionally taken by hunters on the Alabama River and reported as occurring 

 in small numbers throughout the winter. 



17. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. — Winters in small numbers, 

 more abundant in late winter and early spring. Observed as late as 

 May 28th in marshes near Autaugaville — possibly breeding. 



18. Ixobrychus exilis. Least Bittern — Observed about the Bear 

 Swamp region. 



19. Ardea herodias herodias. Great Blue Heron. ' Big Blue 

 Crane.' — Permanent resident and tolerably common in Bear Swamp and 

 marshes near the Alabama Rivei . Also recorded from Catoma Swamp. 



20. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis. Louisiana Heron. ' Little 

 Crane.' — Uncommon summer resident on the Alabama River and adja- 

 cent marshes (Autauga Co.). 



21. Florida caerulea. Little Blue Heron. 'Little Blue 

 Crane.' — Summer resident on ponds, creeks and marshes and in Bear 

 Swamp. Slightly more numerous than the Louisiana Heron (Autauga 

 Co.). 



22. Butorides virescens virescens. Green Heron. ' Fly-up- 

 the-creek.' — Common summer resident. Found in slightly more open 

 country than the preceding herons. Breeding record: May 7, 1911, 

 swampy pasture near Prattville; nest small, frail platform of sticks on 

 limb, and against body of tree; 10 ft. from ground in pme. Bird took 

 flight when approached within 20 yards. Three newly-hatched young 

 and one pipped egg. (L. S. G.) 



23 . Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius . Black-crowned Night Heron. 

 — One observed breeding in Yellow-crowned rookery, April 23, 1911. 

 Nest of sticks, typical heron's platform, 70 ft. (estimated) up in crotch of 

 tall cypress in lagoon near Alabama River, Autauga Co. (L. S. G.) 



24. Nyctanassa violacea. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — ■ 

 Common summer resident, breeding abundantly in small rookeries in Bear 

 Swamp and swamps along Alabama River. Breeding records Apr. 12, 

 1908, Bear Swamp; nest a bulky platform of large sticks, no lining, 5 ft. 

 out on first limb of a black gum, 50 ft. above the water. The tree stood 

 in remote part of swamp among many other gums and cypresses in 

 open water, i. e., free from undergrowth. Five slightly incubated eggs. 

 (E. G. H.) May 8, 1909, Bear Swamp; nest the usual platfcjrm of sticks, 

 8 ft. out on limb of tupelo gum, 30 ft. above water 3 ft. deep; five nearly 

 hatched eggs covered with gnats. One other occupied nest about 20 paces 

 away. (L. S. G.) April 23, 1911, swamp near the Alabama River, Autauga 

 Co.; nest large platform of sticks 40 ft. up in large second growth cypress, 

 in lagoon about 3 ft. deep, thickly set with trees of same size and species; 

 three fresh eggs. Twenty-five or more occupied nests in immediate vicin- 

 ity, including one of the Black-crowned. (L. S. G.) The scenes in these 

 rookeries are weird, not to say gruesome, especially in late afternoon v/hen 



