NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



97 



199. Louisiana Heron. Hydra nassa tricolor ruficolltx. 



Range. Subtropical America, north regularly to the Gulf States and casuallv 

 farther. 



This Heron is of about the sizeof the Reddish Egret, hut the neck is longer, mmv 

 slender and dark, while the chin, throat and 

 underparts are white. The plumes from the 

 back are short, reaching barely to the end of 

 the tail. They nest in large colonies in com- 

 pany with Egrets and Little Blue Herons, 

 placing their nests in the mangroves, only 

 a few feet above the water. Their nests are 

 the same as those of the other species, a 

 slight platform of sticks, and the three to 

 five eggs are practically not distinguishable 

 from those of the Snowy or Little Blue Herons. 

 Size 1.75 x 1.35. 



fPale bluish green.] 



200. Little Blue Heron. Florida ccerulea. 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north casually to New England and 

 Manitoba; west to Kansas and Nebraska. 



A smaller species than the preceding, 

 length 22 inches, plumage a uniform slaty 

 blue changing to purplish red on the head 

 and neck. They also have a white phase, 

 but always show traces of the slaty blue, es- 

 pecially on the primaries. Young birds arc 

 always white. They breed in immense 

 rookeries during April and May. Their 

 nesting habits and eggs are very similar to 

 the last species, although the eggs average a 

 trifle smaller. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. 

 Avery's Island, Louisiana, April 21, 1SJHJ. 

 5 eggs. Nest a flat and frail platform of 

 twigs in a Mimosa tree growing in floating 

 turf, over deep water in a large swamp. 

 Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny. 



[Pale bluish green.] 



201. Green Heron, fiutorides viresccii*. 



Range. Temperate and subtropical America, breeding north to the British 

 Provinces. 



This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well 

 known all over the country. Sometimes they 

 breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with 

 the larger Herons, but in most sections of the 

 country they will be found nesting, one or two 

 pairs together, along the border of some swamp 

 or stream: They have a greater diversity of build- 

 ing sites, thaii do any of the other Herons and 

 frequently nest a long ways from water. Their 

 nests may be found in aiders, birches or even 

 apple trees. It is the usual Heron type of platform, [Light bluish givm. 



