Ki:v TO Tin-: wati-.r ijikds oi' i louida. 



^57 



h raiio'cs in winter from the Soullicrn I nilctl Slatt-s to tlu* \\\'st Indies 

 and South Anierica : north in summer accidentally to Xew iMi^land. 



It breeds in I'^lorida, buildini;" a nest of sticks in hushes and small trees, 

 usualh' oxer \\atei-. The e;L;';L;"s are three to four in number and |-)ale blue. 



SUIGENUS BUTORIDES l!lA III. 



Ardea viresctns 



ARDEA VIRESCENS /////. 

 Little Green Heron. 



Top of the liead extendintj iif a small crest dark green: neck cliestnut: throat marked 

 heavily with white ; under parts pale purplish or ashy marked with white : l:)ack greenish, show- 

 ing tinge of slate color ; wing coverts green, feathers edged with l)uffy white: bend of wing 

 whitish; tail greenish, upper mandible black : lower mandible mostly yellow, dark on the top: 

 legs yellowish green. 



Length, i6 inches: Wing. 6.50: Tail, 2.4c: Tarsus, 1.85 : Bill, 2.30. 



This species ranges from Canada southward to South America and the 

 West Indies, being common and breeding throughout most of its range on 

 the Atlantic coast. It is common in Florida, where it breeds. 



The nest is usuallv placed on a branch of a tree oxerhanging water. 

 The eggs are pale blue, usuallv four to six in number. 



