Gbe TOarbler 



31 



two species of a kindred Genera, the purple and common Gallinula (Gallin- 

 ula martinica and G. chloropus ). The latter is found breeding in 



nearly all the back waters of our rice fields, the former is seen but sparing- 

 ly, and the large family of northern Finches is succeeded by several inter- 

 esting species; among the most beautiful of which are the Nonpareil or 

 Painted Bunting, and the Blue Grosbeak. Thus by a wise and benevolent 

 provision of Providence the varying seasons bring along with them a suc- 

 cession of the feathered tribe, that either contribute to our sustenance or 

 minister to our pleasures. 



Whilst some of our northern birds make Carolina their southern limit 

 in the winter, there are others that make it their northern boundary beyond 

 which they dare not go at that season. Thus the Catbird (Turdus felivox), 

 the White-eyed Flycatcher (Muscicapa cantairix\, the Green Swallow (Hirundo 

 bicolor) and several other species appear among us in small numbers after 

 one or two warm days in winter. A few of these linger along our Sea-board 

 in sheltered situations during the whole of the winter, and they are found 

 in great abundance in Florida and Mexico. The whole Crane and Heron 

 family, the latter composed of twelve American species all spend their win- 

 ters south of Carolina, with the exception of a few stragglers from among 

 the great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), a very small number of the White 

 Heron (Ardea alba) and a few of the young of the Whooping Crane (Grus 

 americana), yet all of these species of birds are numerous in Florida during 

 the whole winter. 



The following Herons breed in Carolina and all of them in communi- 

 ties with the exception of the Least Bittern (Ardea exilis) (a rare species, 

 which conceals its nest among the rushes in fresh water ponds, where it de- 

 posits three nearly white eggs), Great Heron (Ardea herodias), Great White 

 Heron (A. luce), Snowy Heron (A. candidisima), Louisiana Heron (A. lu- 

 doviciand), Yellow-crowned Heron (A. violacea), Night Heron (A. nyclicorax), 

 Blue Crane or Heron (A. coerulea). The young of this species are white till 

 they are two years old. Green Heron (A. virescens) and Least Bittern (A. 

 exilis.) The American Bittern (A. minor) remains in our marshes during the 

 spring till about the 12th of May, when it retires to its breeding places in 

 the farthest North. The Ardea Pealei of Bonaparte, as has been ascertained 

 by Audubon, is the young of the Ardea rufescens of Buffon. Having had 

 living specimens in my possession for some time I am enabled to state that 

 the downy feathers of the young whilst in the nest are brown. The birds 

 then continue white till the second year, when they resume a rufescent color. 

 They are found breeding in great numbers on the islands of the southern 

 extremity of Florida. In the same places are also found the newly discov- 

 ered Heron, the largest of all our American species, which Audubon de- 

 describes as Ardea accedentalis. The Brown Crane (Grus canadensis of Tamm. 



