92 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Crane " or " Blue Crane " in fact it is better known by either of these 

 names than it is by its proper vernacular name. One of the mos 

 characteristic birds of North America, breeding singly and in colonie: 

 in suitable places throughout its range. In the warmer parts of th< 

 country it breeds in vast heronries in company with other species oi 

 herons, to which places they resort year after year. 



In Florida it is very abundant, but its numbers are rapidly decreas 

 ing by the constant persecution of the * plume hunters.' Its rookerie: 

 are so frequently broken up, and the remaining birds compelled t< 

 retire to other resorts, that the breeding season may be said to extern 

 over a period of five or six months, and no doubt two broods are rearec 

 in a season. 



The nest is placed in high trees along rivers, or in the depths oi 

 retired swamps; in localities destitute of trees it is built on rocks 

 Sycamore trees seem to be favorite resorts of these birds, the ligh 

 color of the limbs and the peculiar tint of the foliage harmonizing s( 

 well with their plumage as to render their presence difficult of detec 

 tion. The eggs are plain greenish-blue ; varying from elliptical to ova 

 in shape ; three to six in number, commonly three or four ; averag< 

 size 2.50x1.50. 



[195.] Ardea cinerea LINN. [488.] 



European Blue Heron. 



Hab. Europe; accidental in Southern Greenland. 



This is a familiar Heron in Europe, and is very abundant in place: 

 where it is protected by law. In England most of its breeding place; 

 are guarded by land owners. In the middle ages when falconry wa: 

 a favorite sport the bird was held as royal game, and penal enactment: 

 preserved it for the pleasure of royalty. 



This Heron builds its nest according to circumstances, either oi 

 the ground, in trees, or on high rocks. It breeds in colonies, and it: 

 favorite nesting places are on the tops of trees, on the outer branches 

 The nest is large and flat, composed of sticks and lined with grass 

 Each year the nests are repaired and augmented until they becorm 

 very massive. 



The eggs are four or five in number, of a pale green color, anc 

 measure 2.42 x 1.72. Four eggs from England in my collection measur< 

 2.48x1.67, 2.49x1.61, 2.52x1.64, 2.40x1.65. 



196. Ardea egretta GMEL. [489.] 



American Egret. 



Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon, south to Patagonia 

 casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. 



This beautiful species, the Great White Egret of America, has ar 



