96 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



In remote localities, quite large colonies of them may still be found, but where they 

 numbered thousands, years ago, they can be counted by dozens now. They 



breed in impenetrable swamps, very 

 often in company with the following 

 species, and also with Louisiana 

 and Little Blue Herons, and White 

 Ibises. Their nests are but frail 

 platforms, generally in bushes over 

 the water. Their usual complement 

 of eggs numbers from three to five, 

 four as the most common number. 

 They are generally laid during the 

 latter part of May, but often on 

 account of their being disturbed, 

 nests with eggs may be found in 

 July. The eggs are a light bluish 

 green in color. Size 2.25 x 1.45. 

 Data. Gainesville, Florida, April 

 14, 1894. Four eggs on a platform 

 of Sticks and grass, in a button- 

 wood bush over six feet of water. 

 Collector, George Graham. 



[Light bluish green.] 



Snowy Heron. Egretta candidissima . 



Range. Common now only in restricted local- 

 ities in the Gulf States and Mexico. 



This species, which is smaller than the last, 

 being but twenty-four inches in length, is also 

 adorned with "aigrettes," but they are beauti- 

 fully recurved at the tips. Owing to the merci- 

 less slaughter to which they have been subject- 

 ed, their ranks have been woefully decimated, 

 and it is to be hoped that the remaining ones 

 may be safely protected. Their nesting habits 

 are the same as the last, although, of course, 

 the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25. 



198. Reddish Egret. Dichromanassa rufescens. 



[Light bluish green 



[Light greenish blue.J 



Range. In the United States, this 

 species is confined chiefly to the Gulf 

 States. 



It is somewhat larger than the last 

 species, the head and neck are rufous, the 

 body is bluish gray, and the back is 

 adorned with slender gray plumes. It 

 also has a white phase. This Egret is 

 very abundant along the whole Gulf 

 coast, but especially so in Texas. Their 

 nesting habits are identical with those of 

 the other small Herons and Egrets. The 

 three or four eggs are rather of a more 

 greenish blue than the preceding. Size 

 1.90 x 1.45. Data. Gainesville, Florida, 



April 14, 1894. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a button-wood tree, two 

 feet above the water. Collector, George Graham. 



