92 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



STORKS and WOOD IBISES. Family CICONIID/E. 



188. Wood Ibis. Tantalus loculator. 



Range. A sub-tropical 

 species which is resident 

 along the Gulf coast and 

 which strays casually north 

 to New England and Col- 

 orado. 



This peculiar member of 

 the Stork family has the 

 whole head and part of the 

 neck bare and covered with 

 numerous scales ; the bill is 

 large, long and heavy; the 

 plumage is white, except for 

 the black primaries and tail. 

 It is a large bird about four 

 feet in length. They are 

 quite abundant in swamps 

 along the Gulf coast, where 

 they place their nests, which 

 are platforms of sticks, in 



trees and bushes over the water. They lay three eggs which are white, and have 



a rough surface. Size 2.75 x 1.75. 



[White.] 



[189.] Jabiru. Mycteria americana. 



This large bird, which is the only true Stork that claims a place in our 

 avifauna, is a native of South and Central America, wandering north, casually 

 to Texas. Their nests are large platforms of sticks in very high trees. 



BITTERNS and HERONS. Family ARDEID/E. 



Herons and Bitterns are long legged waders, having straight, pointed bills, 

 and with the head feathered, except for the lores. 



I 90. American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus. 



Range. United States and southern 

 British provinces, breeding in the northern 

 half of the United States and wintering in 

 the southern portion. 



This species, with its mottled rusty 

 brownish plumage, is one of the best known 

 of the Heron family. It is known locally 

 by a great many names, nearly all of which 

 have reference to the "booming' ' or "pump- 

 ing" sound made during the mating 

 season. They build their nests in swampy 

 or marshy places, placing them on the 

 ground, frequently on a tussock, entirely 

 surrounded by water. The nest proper is 

 only a few grasses twisted about to form a 

 lining to the hollow. They lay from three 

 to five eggs of brownish drab. Size 1.95 x 1.50 



[Brownish drab.J 



