No.3.] SENNETT ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF TEXAS. 435 



it. They were composed of small sticks and grasses, were about ten 

 inches in diameter, with little depressions. Some were vacant, but the 

 majority held from one to three eggs each, the greater numberless than 

 three, while but a few had four, the full complement. A few of these 

 Egrets had both red and white upon wings and tail, and I secured one 

 of them. The Great Blue Heron was the only other Heron breeding 

 uj)on the island, but Gulls and Terns were numerous. Upon the other 

 and smaller island, the Eeddish Egret was not found breeding. The 

 only other place where we found them breeding was on one of the Peli- 

 can Islands of Coi-pus Ohristi Bay, where on March 30 a few were seen 

 building nests in company with the Great Blue Heron. Average of 

 over 50 eggs is 2.00 by 1.50 ; the largest is 2.12 by 1.55, and the smallest 

 1.90 by 1.48. 



Eleven specimens of birds prepared, but they were so very fat that 

 the result is very unsatisfactory. I did not take their measurements in 

 the flesh. 



138. Floeida ccerulea (L.) Bd. — Little Blue Heron. 



A few noticed about Nueces Bay during the last days of March, and 

 again at Point Isabel April 3. Less abundant and less gregarious than 

 other Herons on our southern border. 



139. BuTOKiDES YiRESCENS (L.) Bp. — Green Heron. 



Two or three of this species seen in the tall brakes near the mouth of 

 the Nueces Eiver. At Lomita I occasionally saw one on the banks of 

 the river, where bushes had lodged near the water from caving. 



359 



Lomita . 



May 



19.50 



27.50 



7.25 



2.60 



140. Nyctiardea GEiSEA N^YiA (Bodd.) Alien. — Night Heron. 



Large flocks of this bird were seen mornings and evenings flying 

 about and feeding on the grass-flats of Lagoona Madre, near the head 

 of Padre Island. They are also about the water-holes in the vicinity of 

 Lomita. On April 23 I obtained a full-grown young. 



141. BoTAUEUS 3IUGITANS (Bart.) Coues. — Bittern. 



I did not find it common anywhere. At Lomita one was shot in May 

 about the water-holes. 



GRUIDiE. 



142. Geus AjMEEICANA (L.) Ord.— White Crane. 



Seen on the grass- and mud-flats near the head of Padre Island dur- 

 ing the latter part of March. 



