16 



ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIOXES. 



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the neiiinsula of Lower California, the whoh; of the desert refjion of the Southwestern United States 

 and Western Mexico. 



Younger specimens (probably in the second year), of which No. 12070, is a fair example, hnvi' 

 the forehead dusky-slate, there being only a few white feathers in the crown ; the cheeks strongly 

 tinged with bull'. The specimen alluded to is eciually dark with that from Cape Flattery, W. 'I'., 

 and that from Mexico. 



Seasonal Variations. Although the plumage of this species is essentially the same througli- 

 out the year, there are certain differences dei)ending on the season which are worthy of note, in 

 the spring, or at the commencement of the breeding season, thi! bill, except on the culmen, is 

 almost entirely yellow (generally a wax-yellow, brighter on the lower mandible) ; and the bare 

 orbital space col)alt-blue, while from the occiput grow two long, slender, ]>endant, black plunics. 

 After the young are hatched, these plumes are droi)ped, the bare skin around the eye has changed 

 to a yellowish-green hue, and the upper mandibk' become almost wholly dusky blackish-olive, witli 

 only the tomia and lower mandil)le yellowish. Of some twenty specimens killed June 11, 1877, 

 at the Little Cypress Swamp, of Knox Co., Indiana, none had the white occipital plumes, while the 

 bill and orbits were colored as last stated (djove. These birds were all shot at their Ijreediiij; 

 grounds, where were about one hundred and fifty occupied nests, mostly containing full-grown 

 young. A male killed at Washington, D. ('., April !), 1875, and conseiiuently in perfect plumage, 

 had the bill and soft parts colored as follows: — Bill dull wax-yellow, brighter on the lower 

 mandible ; bare orbital space cobalt-blue ; iris bright chrome-yellow ; legs black, the tibia3 inclin- 

 ing to brownish ; soles of toes dull grayish naples-yellow. A female obtained in .spring at Mount 

 Carmel, 111., was similarly colored. 



The Great Blue Heron — one of the most eminently charaoteristie birds of North 

 America — is found, in varying abundance, tliroughout the continent, south of the more 

 northern regions, from the I'acitic to tlie Atlantic coast; it is also found in several 

 of the West India Islands and in Central America. Kiclmrdson regarded it as only 

 an accidental straggler in the Fur Region ; but Captain lilakiston notes it as a regular 

 summer visitant, and as breeding on th'^ Sa.skatchcwan. It was found by JI. 15our- 

 geau, in July, 1858, breeding on one of the tributaries of the north branch of tlie 

 Saskatchewan. There were several nests in a poplar grove, situated in a large ravine 

 near a lake ; they were all about fifty feet from the ground. One nest, containing six 

 eggs, was taken. This bird was found at Sitka by Bisclioff, where it was rare ; and it 

 is included by Mr. R. Rrowne in his list of the birds of Vancouver. In CalifV)ruia, 

 Dr. Cooper speaks of it as everywhere common about the shores and marshes, almost 

 forming one of tlio characteristic features of the landscape of that region. It is 

 resident, not even migrating from the Columbia River, though wandering to a consid- 

 erable distance for food. It visits the islands along the coast, and occasionally stands 

 to feed on the floating kelp at some distance from the shore. He found its nest with 

 fresh eggs about April 24, near San Diego. The nests were built in oak trees, up dry 

 ravines, at some distance from the water. Sometimes there were two or three nests 

 in the same tree. At Santa Barbara, he found them in lofty poplars, three miles 

 from the shore. They were loosely constructed of coarse sticks, laid flat. The 

 eggs, four in number, measured from 2.(50 to 2.G8 inches in length, and 1.78 to 1.80 in 

 breadth. The birds made no attempt to defend their nest, but flew around uttering 

 a low croaking. 



It usually fishes in the early morning and in the evening, often wading up to its 

 tarsal joint in the water, standing motionless, watching until its prey comes near, 

 and then seizing it by a very rapid stroke of the bill, and swallowing it head down- 

 ward. It also feeds on meadow mice, frogs, small birds, grasshoppers, etc. Its flight 

 is rapid and easy, and when migrating is sometimes very high; but it usually kecjis 

 near the ground or water. It is at all times very vigilant, and difficult of approach. 



