Jan., 1922 THE REDDISH EGRETS OF CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS 11 
any of the others. Nests of the Night Heron were hard to find, but evidently 
they were lagging behind the other species and had not commenced egg laying. 
We had been in the brush only a short time when we began to notice num- 
bers of freshly broken eggs lying in the nests. By looking for them we soon 
found that there was a tremendous number. They occurred in nests of all the 
three species which had eggs. It looked as if the birds on leaving their nests 
on our approach were breaking their own eggs. For some time we were per- 
turbed at this state of affairs and determined to actually see a bird break its 
eges. Birds sitting on eggs were approached, but as the bird left she never broke 
any eggs. Finally we discovered that it was the work of the Grackles (Mega- 
quiscalus major macrourus). Each of us separately saw these birds pounce into 
nests and pick holes in the eggs. In most cases the contents ran down through 
tiie nest and was wasted on the ground, but the Grackle always managed to get 
a tew mouthfuls before the egg went dry. It looked as if a Grackle would 
have to break a great number of eggs before it would get a full meal. I saw 
Egrets drive the Grackles away from their nests frequently, so they are wise 
Fig. 8. LOUISIANA HERON AND REDDISH HIGRET, SHOW- 
ING COMPARATIVE” SIZE. 
to their sole enemy. There were probably one hundred pairs of Grackles on 
the island and the damage done by this number must be very great. The 
Grackles build their nests in the same bushes with the Egrets and on that day 
many nests contained eggs. We smashed all we could find. Mr. Camp planned 
to return to the island later with the object of determining if the Grackles ate 
the newly hatched young, but was unable to do so. 
Another remarkable thing about this island is that coyotes visit it, though 
it is about five miles from the mainland and more than that from Padre Isl- 
and, the sand-bar. Their dung, tracks, and dens, and skeletons of partially 
eaten herons were all unmistakable evidence. No fresh water exists on the 
island so it is improbable that the coyotes can remain very long. The fruit of 
some of the cacti, dew and possibly other sources would supply the water 
wants on a short visit. Coyotes certainly can not see this island from the sand- 
bar. The Mexicans say that it is there that they come from. In times of great 
north winds the water is reputed to be blown out of the Laguna and on such 
an occasion a coyote might find the island as he ventured out on the mud flats 
for dead fish. We found that the Louisiana Heron is the principal victim ot 
