8 ; THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
looking pensively downward. The feet of the male were placed squarely on the 
back of the female. During the operation, the male of course squatting, the 
same erecting of plumage as in the nuptial display occurred. Many attempts 
were failures for the reason that if the female happened to be standing the male 
would disturb the equilibrium of the two when he lt on her back, especially if a 
gust of wind hit them just right. 
The Reddish Egret in flight, is, I believe, more graceful than any other 
heron I have seen. The wing area must be larger in proportion to the size of 
the bird than in other herons, for there are moments when the bird handles itself 
after the manner of the vultures and albatrosses. Its flight is graceful, effort- 
less and quite rapid. I found that near the end of the day the birds were en- 
tirely oblivious to man’s presence. In this they resembled chickens on a roost 
very much. During the middle of the day they were more wary than at any 
other time. At any time, however, I found them to be easily frightened by the 
Fig. 5. A MIxED PAIR. THE REDDISH EGRET IN WHITE PHASE WAS 
JUDGED TO BE THE MALE, FOR IT HAD JUST GONE THROUGH THE NUPTIAL 
DISPLAY TO THE NORMALLY PLUMAGED BIRD. THE TWO BIRDS ARE STAND- 
ING IN A NEST. 
noise of the focal plane shutter of my camera. Waving of arms or shouting 
even in mid-day would get the undivided attention of every bird, but they would 
not fly. But every time the shutter dropped every bird within range would up 
into the air. 
We slept on the island. Just before darkness the Egrets left for the main- 
land or some place in that direction. They formed a steady stream for half an 
hour. Near the end of their flight the Louisiana Herons began to leave and 
when it was quite dark the Night Herons could be heard squawking as they too 
left. During the night very little noise prevailed; I did not sleep well and 
noted this. 
Our return to Point Isabel next morning was uneventful. Upon reaching 
Brownsville in a few days I talked with Mr. R. D. Camp, the State and Federal 
Game Warden for that district and also a veteran ornithologist, regarding Green 
