OF VIRGINIA 4| 
GeENus HEROobIAS. 
[196]. Herodias egretta (Gmelin). Egret. 
[White Crane]. 
Raner.—Temperate and tropical America. Breeds in 
Oregon and California, and from Virginia, Florida, the 
Gulf Coast, and Mexico south to Patagonia; formerly 
bred north to New Jersey and Wisconsin; winters from 
the Gulf of Mexico southward; casual in Manitoba, 
Quebec, New England, and Nova Scotia. 
There are a few of these birds still breeding within our 
area; formerly they were quite common with us. The 
demand for their plumes for the millinery trade un- 
doubtedly was the main cause of their decline, like that 
of numerous species noted heretofore. There are still 
some found in the Chickahominy region, many working 
down the James River during August and September in 
search of food. 
*In the coast region they nest out on the marsh, build- 
ing their nests above the reach of high tides, of dry marsh 
grass, stems and fine sticks. Three to four eggs form a 
complete set, May 15th to June Ist; light bluish-green 
color. Size, 2.30x1.45. Elsewhere they usually nest in 
trees like the other Herons. In the year 1911, during a 
visit to the Eastern Shore, I heard of a man having shot 
some and eating them, and it is only a question of a short 
time before these birds of the coast region will entirely 
disappear, though those further inland are still quite safe. 
They arrive about April 15th and migrate southward 
early in September. 
*Note.—This was the species referred to as the “Snowy Heron,” 
“seen by Captain Crumb, Rives’ Catalogue of the Birds of the 
Virginias, page 50, No. 65. 
