Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 369 



The Snowy Heron is of accidental occurrence in Illinois and Wis- 

 consin, although at one time it was apparently not uncommon in 

 southern Illinois. The species is now raie, having been nearly exter- 

 minated in the southern states. 



Nelson states that it was much less common in Illinois than 

 egretta and occurred about the same time (late summer). Kumlien 

 and Hollister say : "A rare and irregular visitor from the south during 

 August and September. * * * * h= j^ August, 1886, Mr. H. L. 

 Skavlem shot six of these birds from a flock of egrets also on Lake 

 Koshkonong. This is the last authentic record of any numbers that 

 we know of. Of late years very rare." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, 

 P- 3S-) 



Genus DICHROMANASSA Ridgw. 



85. Dichromanassa rufescens (Gmel.) . 



Reddish Egret. 



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



Distr.. Ranges from the Gulf states, north to southern Illinois, 

 west to Lower California, south to Mexico (both coasts) and Guate- 

 mala, also Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahama Islands. 



Adult in colored phase: Head and neck, lilac brown; rest of plu- 

 mage, dark slate color. This species has the long plumes extending 

 from the scapular region of the back during the breeding season ; legs 

 and feet, bluish, showing dusky on the scales of the tarsus; bill, black 

 on the terminal third, the balance, flesh color; lores, flesh color. 



White phase: Entire plumage, white; bill, black on the terminal 

 third; balance, flesh color; legs, greenish. 



Length, 29; wing, 14; tail, 4; tarsus, 5. 30; bill, 3.90. 



At one time the white and colored birds of this species were con- 

 sidered distinct, but in June, 1879, while in the Bahama Islands, the 

 writer took both white and gray, young birds from the same nest. 



This southern species was given by Nelson as: "Quite common in 

 the vicinity of Cairo during the last week in August, 1875." (Bull. 

 Nutt. Orn. Club, 1876, p. 40.) It has not been observed in northern 

 Illinois or Wisconsin and there is apparently no record of its occur- 

 rence in Illinois since that given by Mr. Nelson. 



