368 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



the state." (Nelson, Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 131.) "Twenty- 

 five to fifty years ago the egret was a common bird on the larger 

 marshes and swamps bordering the inland lakes and rivers. * * * * 

 * * A few single birds or small flocks rarely visit Delavan Lake during 

 early fall. ***** h; Young unable to fly were taken from a colony 

 in a tamarack swamp near Jefferson in July, 1863. It was found 

 breeding with a large colony of great blue herons to the westward of 

 Two Rivers in June, 1880. Also reported as nesting near Waukesha 

 in 1866." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 35.) 



Genus EGRETTA Forst. 



84. Egretta candidissima (Gmel.). 

 Snowy Heron. 



Ardea candidissima Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 72. 



Distr.: Temperate and tropical North America, from Long Island 

 and Oregon south to Argentine Republic and Chili. Formerly abun- 

 dant in parts of the Gulf coast and Florida; accidental as far north 

 as Nova Scotia and southern British Columbia. 



Adult: Entire plumage, pure white, having in the breeding season 

 extended plumes on the back and also feathers on the crest lengthened ; 



Snowy Heron. 



bill, black, becoming yellowish at the base; lores, yellow; legs, black; 

 feet, yellow. 



Length, 22; wing, 11; tarsus, 3.50; bill, 3. 



