WHITE EGRET. 601 



Creek. The temperature for several days had ranged below zero. This 

 bird was in good condition. 



The food of this species, and in general of the family, consists of fish, 

 frogs and other reptiles, small moUusks and aquatic larvae. These they 

 secure by patient watching while standing in the water, with extended 

 necks ; when the desired prey comes within reach, the head and neck are 

 so suddenly withdrawn preparatory to making a successful dart, that the 

 eye can hardly follow the action. 



The nest of this species is placed in high sycamore trees, along rivers, 

 or in the depths of a retired swamp. In localities destitute of trees the 

 nest is placed on rocks. Sycamore trees are especially affected by them, 

 the light color of the limbs, and the peculiar tint of the foliage harmon- 

 izing so well with their plumage, as to render their presence, when at rest, 

 diflBcult of detection. 



The eggs are two or three in number, elliptical in outline, and light, 

 dull greenish blue in color. They measure about 2.50 by 1.50. 



Ardba egretta Gmelin. 



G-reat "White Egret. 



Ardea egretta, Kirtland, Ohio Geolog. Rep., 1638, 16.5, 185. — Whbaton, Food of Birds, 

 etc., Ohio Agrio. Kep. for 1874, 1875, 573; Reprint, 13. — Langdon, Cat. Birds of 

 Gin., 1877, 15. 



Serodiaa egretta, Wheaton, Ohio Agrio. Rep. for 1860, 1861, 368, 377 ; Reprint, 10, 19. — 

 Langdon, Revised List, Journ. Gin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 184 ; Reprint, 18 ; Sum- 

 mer Birds, Journ. Gin. Soo. Nat. Hist., iii, 1880, 227. 



Ardea egretta, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 17':'8, 629. 

 Eerodias egretta, Gray, Gen. of Birds, iii, 1849. 



No obviously lengthened feathers on the head at any time ; in the breeding season, 

 back with very long plames of decomposed feathers drooping far beyond the tail; neck 

 closely feathered ; plumage entirely white at all seasons ; legs and feet black. Length, 

 36-42 inches (not including the dorsal train) ; wing, 16-17; bill, nearly 5; tarsus, 

 nearly 6. 



Habitat, United States, southerly, straggling northward to Nova Scotia. Massachu- 

 setts, Canada West, and Minnesota. West Indies; Mexico; Central and South America. 



Rather common visitor in July, August and September. Perhaps 

 breeds in Wfestern Ohio, but I have no record of its occurrence in spring 

 or in the breeding season, nor seen any except young birds. Dr. Coues, 

 in connection with this bird. Birds N W. p , 521, observes " that a cer- 

 tain northward migration of some southerly birds at this season (sum- 

 mer) is nowhere more noticeable than among the Herons and their allies, 

 the migrants consisting chiefly of birds hatched that year, which un- 

 accountably stray in the wrong direction." 



