654 Ebpoet of State Geologist. 



n 



cation that they build false aeets amd that the male assists in incubat- 

 ing. They rear two broods a y^r, Dr. Langdom thinks, as he found 

 incomplete sets early in July near Sandusky, 0. (J. C. S. N. H., Ill, 

 1880, p. 227.) 



Cory's Bittern, Botaurus neoxena Cory, has been taken in Ontario 

 and Michigan, and should be sought in Indiana. Its habits are similar 

 to those of this species and it frequents similar places. The following 

 is its description: 



Top of the head, back and tail, dark greenish-black, showing a 

 green gloss when held to the light; sides of the head and throat rufous- 

 chestnut; the feathers on the back of the neck showing greenish-black 

 tips; breast and under parts, nearly uniform mfous-chestnut, shading 

 into dull black on the side; wing coverts, dark rufous-chestnut; under- 

 wing coverts, paler chestnut; all the remiges entirely slaty, plumbeous; 

 under tail coverts, uniform dull black. Total length, 10.80; wing, 

 4.30; tarsus, 1.40; bill, 1.80. 



Range. — Florida, Okeechobee r^on. In Florida it is called "Black 

 Bittern" to distinguish it from the "Least Bittern," which is called 

 "Brown Bittern." 



Subfamily AEDEINvE. Herons and Egrets. 



34. Sends AKDEA Linnjeds. 



a^. Bill shorter than tarsus, 

 i^. Tarsus less than twice the leogth of middle toe without claw. 

 «'. Wing over 14.00. 



d'^. Color chiefly bluish; wing over 17.00. Subgenus Abdea. 

 e^. Top of head (sometimes entire head) white. 



A. wuerdemanxii Baird. 65 

 e^. Top of head, including occipital plumes, black. 



A. herodias Linn. 66 

 d^. Color white; wing less than 17. 001 Subgenus Hekodias Boie. 

 e^. Wing under 11.00. A. egretta Gmel. 67 



/^ Color entirely white; plumes of breeding season very long, curved 

 backward, with loose webs. Subgenus Qarzetta Kaup. 



A. candidissima Gmel. 68 



/ 2. Tips of primaries bluish; sometimes most of plumage bluish; 



plumes of breeding season slender, with compact webs. Subgenus 



Florida Baird. A. cserulea Linn. 70 



a*. Bill not, shorter than tarsus. 



9I. Wing more than 8.00. Subgenus Hydbanabsa Baird. 



A. tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). 69 

 g^. Wing not more than 8.00. Subgenus Butoroides Blyth. 



A. virescens Linn. 71 



