NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



119 



201a. FKAZAK'S GKEEIf HEBOID. Ardea virescens frazarl Brewst. Geog. 

 Dist. — Lower CaUfornia (vicinity of l^a, Paz). 



This subspecies is dedicated to M. Abbott Frazar, the naturalist and taxidermist 

 ■who took the first specimens near La Paz, Lower California, in 1887. Mr. Brewster 

 says: "Although the points of difference between this bird and true A. virescens 

 are not easily expressed, they are, nevertheless, apparent on the most casual com- 

 parisons, or, indeed without any comparison whatever. The deeper, more purplish 

 maroon of the neck, with its decided glaucous tinge, is perhaps the best character of 

 the new form. None of the specimens in the National Museum from the west coast 

 of Mexico show any approach to frazari, all being apparently true virescens."* Its 

 nesting habits and eggs are unkuown, but more than likely are identical with A. 

 virescens. 



201c. ANTHONY'S GREEN HERON. Ardea virescens anthonyi Mearns. 

 Geog. Dist. — Arid region of Southwestern United States, and southward into Mexico^ 



This subspecies, named in honor of A. W. Anthony, belongs to the arid jKjrtions 

 of Southwestern United States and southward. I have nothing positive regarding 

 its nesting and eggs, but they will probably not differ from those of A. virescens. 



202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nycticorax nycticorax nwvius 

 (Bodd.) Geog. Dist. — America, from the British Possessions southward to the Falk- 

 land Islands. 



A handsome bird, whose neck and legs are not so long as those of other Herons. 

 It has a stout body, and its total length is about two feet. It has two or three very 

 long white, filamentous plumes springing 

 from the occiput. The Black-crowned 

 Night Heron, Qua-bird or Squawk, as it 

 is variously called, is found throughout 

 the entire continent of America, except 

 the Arctic regions. It breeds in several of 

 the West Indies, and is resident through- 

 out Central America, breeding in all suit- 

 able localities. It is found through- 

 out the greater portion of South America, 

 and has been observed breeding on the 

 Falkland Islands. Throughout the United 

 States, in various sections, large colonies 

 may be found during the breeding season. 

 Hundreds, and even thousands, colonize 

 and form extensive heronies. Mr. M. B. 

 GrifiSng, of Shelter Island, N. Y., says that 

 in the herony on Gardiner's Island as 

 many as four nests were found in a single 

 tree, all containing eggs. Tall trees are 

 usually selected for the nesting sites, and 

 they are not always easy of access. The 

 nests are bulky platforms of sticks, con- 

 siderably hollowed. Mr. Rachford says 

 that in the vicinity of Beaumont, Texas, 

 this Heron nests in cypress trees along the 

 banks of streams, and that the breeding 

 season begins about the first of April. The 

 greatest number of eggs found in any nest 

 is four, which is the usual number. In all 

 the sets that Mr. Griffing and Mr. Worth- 

 ington had collected for three years there 

 were but four sets containing more than 



' Auk, V. Jan., 1888, 83. 



Black-crowned Niqht Hbroh. 



