60 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



that the birds must be well marked, or shot on the nest, to be sure of 

 their identification. Both kinds breed there side by side, in equal num- 

 bers, and, fortunately, both are quite tame, so that one can approach 

 carefully under the rushes to within a short distance, and can mark and 

 follow the birds. I obtained many fresh eggs of this bird, and but for 

 preferring Glossy Ibis, and having all the load we could manage for a 

 rough road home, I should have taken more. The complement is four. 

 The eggs are oval, of a pale greenish-blue, and average 1.66 by 1.25 

 inches. 



427— 9 —23.25 x 37.00 x 9.50 x 3.50. May 15, Brownsville. 



428— 5 —23.00 x 36.00 x 9.85 x 3.25. May 15, Brownsville. 



Hydranassa tricolor, [Mail.) Eidgw. — Louisiana Heron. 



This Heron was not noticed until I found it breeding. May loth, in the 

 rushes of the salt-marshes between Brownsville and the coast. Its nest 

 and eggs are so similar to those of Ardea candidissima, that one de- 

 scription will answer for both. What little difference I find in the 

 shape of the eggs is, that those of this species are rather longer and 

 more pointed on an average. I have found, however, well identified 

 eggs of each that canuot be told apart. The nests contained young of 

 all ages up to one-fourth size ; and I found about the same variation in 

 the same clutch as I did in A. egretta, Great White Egret. Perfectly 

 fresh eggs were very scarce in hundreds of nests examined. Four eggs 

 are generally laid. The old birds were bold, and the contrast in colors 

 made them look fine as they circled about our heads. The shape of the 

 eggs is oblong-oval, and the color, like most of the Herons, a pale green- 

 ish blue. They average 1.78 by 1.29 inches. 



425— 5 —26.25 x 38.00 x 9.65 x 3.15. May 15, Brownsville. 



426—^—26.50x39.00x10.50x3.75. May 15, Brownsville. 



427—^—26.50 X 38.00 x 10.00 x 3.50. May 16, Brownsville. 



434— 2 —25.75 x 37.50 x 9.75 x 3.25. May 16, Brownsville. 



DiCHROMANASSA RUFA, {Bodd.) Bidgw. — Reddish Egret. 



I only observed this Heron on the islands and lagoons, near Corpus 

 Christi Pass, in the middle of March. Both the adult and white young 

 were shot. The proportion seemed to be largely in favor of the adult 

 plumage. They were not at all shy. I have seen them alight on the 

 oyster-beds, within range of me, when I have been in a rowboat, and 

 they would let me approach within easy gunshot range before they 

 would discontinue feeding or searching for food. They were exceed- 

 ingly fat, more so, I think, than the Oyster-catchers. These and the 

 Great Blue Herons were seen feeding together, and a few others of the 

 family at this particular place. I was too early for their eggs, but since 

 my return I have received a set from there without any particulars. 

 Their shape is long-oval and color pale greenish-blue. They average 2 

 by 1.47 inches. 



34— $ —27.50 X 46.50 x 1 2.50 x 4.50. Mar. 14, Padre Island. 



