BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 11 



50181. Trumpeter Swan. Olor buccinator. 



Tolerably common migrant in spring and fall migrations. Noted as early 

 as April 13 in the spring, and usually the latter half of October in fall migra- 

 tions. The call-notes of the Swan while flying carry a long way, and one 

 can hear them long before the birds are seen. They seldom fly in greater 

 numbers than four to six. 



51190. American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosis. 



Very common. Breeds in grassy sloughs. Usually arrives last week in 

 April. Earliest full set of eggs taken June 18. These birds often fall a 

 prey to the indiscriminate shooting of some hungers. Most bird dogs will 

 trail and point them. 



52191. Least Bittern. Ardetta exilis. 



Two seen by Dr. Bishop at Rock Lake, June 20, 1895. Also reported seen 

 around Devils Lake. 



53194. Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias. 



Rare. Only now and then one is seen from year to year. In recent years 

 this species is found breeding in Turtle Mountains. 



54 196. American Egret. Ardea egretta. 



E. S. Bryant reports one seen at Freshwater Lakes. 



55202. Black-crowned IVight-Heron. ]Vycticorax nycticorax naevins. 



Tolerably common. Breeding in colonies in trees on shores of Lake Alice. 

 Also in heavy grass sloughs and thick bushes at Rock Lake. Earliest date 

 for spring migrant, April 24. 



56 204. TVliooping Crane. Grus americana, 



Tolerably common migrant, spring and fall. Probably nests in Turtle 

 Mountains. Earliest arrivals noted April 13. 



57205. Little Brown Crane. Grus Canadensis. 



One pair shot out of a flock of ten or twelve, April 18, 1895. Now in 

 collection of H. L. Bigelow, Boston, Mass. 



58 206. Sandhill Crane. Grus mexicana. 



Common. Breeds in county. Nests located in isolated sloughs that con- 

 tain more or less water. The fall flights are often very large and Crane- 

 shooting is good. In some localities they do considerable damage, as a flock 

 will pull down and scatter the grain after it has been cut and shocked. I 

 have caught them with steel traps on their feeding places. Earliest spring 

 migrants noted April 6. A full set of eggs found June 9. 



59208. King Kail. Rallus elegans. 



Bryant claims to have seen one at Freshwater Lake. 



60212. Virginia Rail. Rallns yirginianus. 



Not common and noted only in fall migrations, and then usually in grain 

 fields or stubble. A very shy bird but easily identified in flight. 



61 214. Carolina Rail or Sora. Porzana Carolina. 



Very common. Nearly every slough containing water as late as June 

 will have one or more pair nesting. I have found nests in grass growing in 

 two feet of water. A full set of eggs contains from eight to fourteen. They 

 arrive the second week in May and their noisy clatter may be heard until 

 after the nesting season. They are not easily flushed, and therefore are much 

 oftener heard than seen. 



62219. Florida Gallinule. Gallinula galeata, 



Bryant claims to have seen them at Freshwater Lake. A straggler of 

 doubtful identification. 



