REUmSH EGRET. 89 



eager to convert it into a geographical race, it was at last, through 

 the conservatism of the A. O. U., laid to rest in that refuge for 

 questionable cases, the " hypothetical list^" there to await the 

 gathering of more decisive data. 



In the mean time, as it becomes necessary for me to describe its 

 characteristics, I treat the white bird as an individual variation or 

 phase of the present species, because I think this will be its ulti- 

 mate destiny. But these white specimens have always been com- 

 paratively rare, — in a flock of thirty birds not more than four or five 

 will wear white plumes, ~ and the plume-hunters may exterminate 

 them before any naturalist can have any opportunity to make 

 further study of their origin. Indeed, as I write, the remnant may 

 be yielding their plumes to the insatiable crew, for the heronries of 

 the South have been almost wiped out during the last few years. 



Nuttall makes no mention of the Reddish Egret, though he does 

 give a short note telling of the discovery of /«a/«',— the white 

 phase. Our bird is not well known even at this day, few observers 

 having met with it. It occurs regularly within the United States 

 only in Florida and along the Gulf coast, though examples occa- 

 sionally wander up the Mississippi valley as far as Illinois. 



These birds are said to begin breeding in March, and eggs have 

 been taken through April. The young are nearly naked when 

 hatched, wearing nothing but a few patches of down ; but it is a 

 disputed point whether all the young are white, or a part of them 

 are blue. Audubon says that they are fed by regurgitation, grow 

 fast, and soon become noisy. They leave the nest when about seven 

 weeks old, fully fledged and able to fly. 



The favorite feeding-ground of these Egrets is a mud flat over 

 which the outgoing tide leaves but about six to ten inches of water. 

 In this they stand, and silently and motionless watch for their prey, 

 or using their feet among the water-plants, drive the fish — their 

 principal food — from under cover. If they miss the object at 

 their first dart, they give chase ; and though appearing so clumsy 

 and awkward as to present a ridiculous figure while in pursuit of 

 a scudding fish, are much more expert at this chasing than are any 

 others of their kin. The red-and-blue specimens and the white 

 always gather in one flock, and it has been remarked that they 

 quarrel with each other persistently, — white against white, as well 

 as white against red ; but neither white nor red birds have been 

 observed to attack any other species. 



The flight of this species is strong and graceful, and when two 

 males combat in mid-air their evolutions are performed with rare 

 skill. Like many other birds, — aye, like most birds, — this Egret 

 is less shy during the breeding-season than at other times. Some 

 observers deny them all credit for shyness, but admit that they seem 



