GREEN HERON 



201. Butorides virescens. 17 in. 



Smallest of the family, except the Least Bittern. In 

 breeding plumage, they are one of the most beautiful 

 of herons. They may be found in marshes;, along creeks 

 or about the edges of shallow ponds or lakes. They 

 are often seen sitting upon a partly submerged log 

 sunning themselves, or waiting for a tempting frog or 

 fish to pass within reach. When they are among rushes, 

 they will usually attempt to escape observation by 

 mimicking their surroundings, and they do so very suc- 

 cessfully. When they are alarmed and take flight they 

 utter a single sharp shriek. At other times they utter 

 a series of hollow screams, " qu-ick, qu-ick," and also .a | 

 hollow croak. 



Nest. In bushes, in communities or in company with I- 

 other species in the south, but usually a few pairs nest 

 in a locality in the northern states and Canada. Eggs 

 pale bluish-green (1.45x1.10). 



Range. Breeds from the Gulf to Manitoba and Nova 

 Scotia; winters in the Gulf States. 



127 



