10 BIRDS OF MADISON COUNTY 



29. (174) Branta nigricans (Lawr.). 



Black brant. 



A specimen of this rare bird was killed at Lewis 

 Point, Oneida Lake, October 30, 1891. Bagg, Auk Vol. XI, 

 April, 1894. 



Order HERODIONES. (Herons, Ibises, etc.) 

 Family ARDEIDAE. (Herons, Bitterns, etc.) 



30. (190) Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). 



American bittern. 



Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives about 

 May 1. Departs about Nov. 6. 



31. (191) Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). 



Least bittern. 



Although very common in some counties of the 

 state, this bird is rarely seen in Madison county. One male taken 

 May 30, 1897. 



32. (194) Ardea herodias Linn. 



Great blue heron. 



Common summer resident. A few winter. Dec. 5, 

 1898, Dec. 8, 1899, Jan. 12, 1900, Dec. 27, 1900, are some winter 

 records. 



33. (201) Ardea virescens Linn. 



Green heron. 



A very common summer resident. Breeds. Small 

 colony found May 21, 1897, two miles northwest of Randallsville 

 along the Chenango river. With one exception, all the nests, 

 which were very loosely built of coarse sticks and without lining, 

 were placed in thorn apple trees from eight to ten feet from the 

 ground. The number of eggs per set in the nests found varied 

 from three to six. The birds have returned to the same locality 

 every year since they were first discovered by the writer, but in 

 diminished numbers. 



