174 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
on Padre Island, just opposite Little Bird Island. They were flushed from a clump of 
shrubs upon which they were sitting, and flew across Bird Island, as nearly as could 
be seen, toward the mainland. There was no breeding evidence, but there is no reason 
why the species should not nest in suitable localities. 
20. Ardea herodias wardi. Ward Heron. A common breeding species, both on 
the mainland and on the islands. There is a large colony near Flour Bluff (about 13 
miles south of Corpus), the birds breeding high above the ground in trees. Six nests 
were found on Bird Island, and twenty-three on Little Bird. On the latter island the 
nests containec fresh eggs, the full complement in many cases not reached, while on 
Big Bird, a young heron was found already out of the nest. On the islands the nests 
were built-of necessity upon the ground, and were made of huge piles of twigs, grass, 
weeds, etc., much of which had to be brought either from Padre or the mainland. In 
Fig. 41. YouNnGag BROwN PELICANS., 
many cases Brown Pelicans had used the nests of this heron for their own, and in one 
case two rotten heron eggs were found in a heron nest occupied by two very recently 
hatched pelicans. The species also breeds locally on Padre Island. 
21. Egretta candidissima candidissima. Snowy Egret. A single specimen of 
this beautiful species was seen on the afternoon of May 30, standing on the beach of 
Padre Island, just across from Bird Island. The bird permitted close approach, and 
was not at all timid. 
22. Dichromanassa rufescens. Reddish Egret. A common breeding species on 
both Bird Islands. About twenty nests were located on Little Bird, and thirty-seven on 
Big Bird. These nests contained, on the average, three eggs, which began to hatch on 
June 1. The nests were built among the succulent vegetation, from two to six inches 
above the ground, which is the best elevation the birds could obtain under the circum- 
