76 J. A. ALLEN, CATALOGUE OF 



tant. Often nests in orchards, and generally in low pine 

 woods. Lays two eggs, and breeds more than once in a 

 • season. Arrives second week in March, or earlier ; have 

 seen it March 5th. Collects into loose flocks the last of 

 July, frequenting old rye fields, and for two months is 

 abundant, and much hunted by sportsmen, so that at all 

 seasons it is a shy bird. The greater part leave about the 

 1st of October, but some remain till the second or third 

 week. 



142. Bonasa umbellus Steph. Ruffed Grouse. " Part- 

 ridge.''" Common resident. In autumn many are taken in 

 snares. 



143. Ortyx virginiana Bonap. Quail. Resident, and 

 now extremely rare. As late as 1851 it was quite abun- 

 dant, but severe winters and sportsmen have nearly 

 exterminated the species in this vicinity. 



144. Herodias egretta Gray. White Heron. A single 

 specimen was taken a few years since. There is a fine 

 specimen of this species in the Springfield Museum, taken 

 in West Brookfield, Mass., in 1860. 



145. Ardea herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. " Blue 

 Crane." Regular summer visitant, breeding. Xot com- 

 mon. Arrives early in April. 



146. Ardetta exilis Gray. Least Bittern. Extremely 

 rare. Has been taken here. (C. W. Bennett.) Have 

 seen specimens taken in other parts of the State. 



147. Botaurus lentiginosus Steph. Bittern. " Stake- 

 driver." Common in the marshes and river meadows. 

 Arrives first week in April : remains till second week of 

 October, or later. 



148. Butorides virescens Bonap. Green Heron. 

 " Shitepoke." Common. Breeds plentifully in trees in 

 the vicinity of marshes. 



149. Nyctiardea Gardeni Baird. Xight Heron. 

 " Squawk." Common. Arrives about the middle of 

 April. In August have seen several dozens in the air at 

 once, near their feeding grounds, soon after sunset. Are 

 gregarious and breed in communities. Says Dr. Wood, in 

 a letter to the writer, " I know of a swamp some fourteen 

 miles from here [East Windsor Hill, Ct.] where thousands 

 breed. I have counted eight nests on one maple tree. 



