264 



OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



to the encroachments of cultivation, and it is quite possible that none now resort to 

 the locality. No information in regard to other nesting places is at present available. 

 Adults appear to be much less numerous than immature birds. 



SUBGENUS HERODIAS. BOIE. 



30. Ardea egretta (GMEL.). 

 American Egret. 



A rare and irregular visitor. It occurs singly or in small flocks along streams 

 and about the lakes and ponds, in spring, summer and early autumn. It appears to be 

 more frequently reported in spring than at any other season. Dr. J. M. Wheaton 

 says of this species, 1 "I have no record of its occurrence in spring or in the breeding 

 season." Dr. B. H. Warren also mentions* this bird as a straggler in late summer and 

 autumn only. 



SUBGENUS BUTORIDES. BLYTH. 



31. Ardea virescsns (LINN.). 



Green Heron. 



* 



A common summer resident from April 23, to October i. It nests in orchards or 

 in low trees along the streams, but rarely, if ever, in colonies. When molested it will 

 ordinarily build a second and even a third nest, often not far from the site of the first. 

 Five eggs is the usual complement here and full sets have been obtained from May 18 

 to June 12. 



A peculiar trait in the half fledged young, and one which seems not to have been 

 mentioned except by Audubon, 3 is the manner in which, upon the close approa h of 

 anyone to the nest, some or all of the brood leave it, walk cautiously out nearly to the 

 extremity of the supporting branch, and there remain squawking loudly at every 

 move made in their direciion. At these times the parent birds are very frequently 

 not seen, apparently considering their offspring capable of taking care of themselves^ 



The measurements of five nests are as follows : 4 



1 Geological Survey of Ohio IV, 1882, p. 501. 



2 Report on Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, p 59. 

 3 Ornithological Biography IV, 1838, p 275 



* All nest measurements are given in inches and hundredth*;; and the double dimensions which appear 

 under single headings i dicated maximum and minimum respectively. 



