OF VIRGINIA 43 
GENUS EGRETTA. 
[197]. Hgretta candidissima-candidissima (Gmelin). 
Snowy Hgret. 
Raxcre.—Temperate and tropical America. Formerly 
bred from Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, and New 
Jersey south to Chile and Argentina; now breeds locally 
in the United States from southeastern Virginia and North, 
Carolina to Louisiana; winters from Florida southward ; 
casual in British Columbia, Ontario, Massachusetts, and 
Nova Scotia. 
This species still breeds sparingly in our area in the 
Chickahominy Swamps and I am quite sure it still breeds 
in the Back Bay tributaries also. It formerly was quite 
an abundant breeder, but like other species noted, it gave 
way before the demand for millinery purposes, until now 
they are one of our rarest birds. These are the birds 
most noted for their egret or osprey feathers worn on 
women’s hats, the demand for which nearly exterminated 
them. The nest is a frail platform of dry sticks in a low 
tree in swamp, or on an island in a river; a few pair 
generally breeding with the colonies of Louisiana and 
Little Blue Herons. The nest is seldom more than thirty 
feet above ground or water. The eggs usually number 
from three to four, a light bluish-green. Size, 1.80x1.20. 
Only one brood a season. They arrive and depart about 
the same time as the Egret. Unless very stringent laws, 
with wardens to enforce them, are passed, this species will 
soon pass from our list of breeding birds forever. 
