14 Pasadena Academy of Sciences. Pub lication 11 



68 — 188. Tantalus loailaior Linn. 



Wood Ibis. 



J. F. Illingworth observed a large flock of this species on the bar- 

 ley fields in the vicinity of Claremont during June, '97. On June 20 

 a specimen was secured and preserved, and a few days later a local 

 hunter shot another. 



69 — TQO. Botaurus leniiginosus (Montag.). 

 flmerican Bittern. 



Common throughout the winter on any marsh lands. A. M. 

 Shields has observed these birds in the Alamitos swamps in June, and 

 believes that they breed, though in very small numbers. 



70 — igi. Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). 



Least Bittern. 

 Probably as numerous as its larger relative, the American Bittern, 

 but on account of its small size, and habit of skulking to one side in 

 the herbage rather than taking flight at the approach of a person, it is 

 not commonly seen. Breeds in small numbers on swamp lands. A. 

 M. Shields has taken several sets in the early part of May. 



71 — ig^.. Ardea herodias I,inn. 



Great Blue Heron. 

 Common throughout the year, but most numerous in spring and 

 fall. Usually seen standing singly at the margins of ponds or irrigat- 

 ing ditches. Occasionally companies of a dozen to twenty or more are 

 to be seen on the salt marshes along the coast. Breeds sparingly in the 

 county. ly. Chambers reports finding a small colony nesting in a grove 

 of sycamores north of Santa Monica. There were thirty -five nests 

 there in '95, but in '97 their number had decreased to six. May 13, 

 '95, three considerably incubated sets of four each were taken. A. M. 

 Shields found a single nest of the Great Blue Heron near Cerritos on 

 the San Gabriel River, May 5, '89. The set consisted of five fresh 

 eggs. Evan Davis has located a small breeding colony near Orange. 

 He secured a set of four fresh eggs on June 15. 



72 — ig6. Ardea egretta Gmel. 



Americao Egret. 

 A not infrequent winter and spring visitant on the marshlands. 

 Seldom more than one is seen at a time, though I have noted as 

 many as eight in sight at once in the salt marshes near San Pedro. A. 

 M. Shields states that formerly this beautiful bird visited us in great 

 numbers, and that its present scarcity is probably due to the plume 

 hunters. 



73 — igj. Ardea candidissima Gmel. 



SQowy Heroo- 

 Formerly a common visitant like the American Egret, but now 

 only seldom seen. W. H. Wakeley, the Pasadena taxidermist, has 

 plumes and skins of both species taken in the county. He says that in 

 the early 80 's he received many specimens from hunters and sports- 

 men, but that of late they are very rarely brought in. 



