26 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
or thirty, and were frequently shot. The old birds were too shy to be often secured. 
Their food, as shown by the remains found in their stomach, consists of frogs, lizards, 
small fish, insects, seeds of a species of nymphcea, water-snakes, mice, moles, and 
other kinds of vermin. 
Audubon met with this species abundantly in Florida, where it is resident through- 
out the year. It is found along the Gulf coast to Mexico ; but is rarely met with 
inland, and usually not more than fifty miles from the coast, and then always near 
some large river. It frequents, for purposes of reproduction, low, marshy districts 
covered with large trees, the margin of streams, ponds, or bayous, or gloomy swamps 
covered with water. In a few instances Mr. Audubon met with its nests in low trees, 
and on sandy islands at a short distance from the mainland. Early in December Mr. 
Audubon found this Heron congregated together in vast numbers, apparently for the 
purpose of mating, in East Florida. He describes the courtship of the males as very 
curious and interesting. Their throats swelling out in the manner of Cormorants, 
emitting gurgling sounds, they strutted round the females, raising their long plumes 
almost erect, and pacing majestically before the objects of their selection. Conflicts 
now and then took place, but they were not so frequent as he had been led to suppose. 
These performances were continued from day to day for nearly a week, occupying 
the warmer portion of the day. 
The flight of this Heron is \Vell sustained and vigorous. On foot its movements 
are graceful, its step measured, its long neck being gracefully retracted and curved. 
Its long and silky train makes its appearance a few weeks previous to the love 
season, and continues to grow and to increase in beauty until incubation has com- 
menced. After this period it begins to deteriorate, and disappears about the time the 
young bird leaves the nest. 
Those that migrate northward leave Florida about the first of March ; but none 
reach New Jersey before the middle of May. In Florida the young are full grown 
by the 8th of May; in New Jersey, not before the 1st of August: in the former 
State two broods are raised in a season. 
Regarding the supposed California form of the White Egret as identical with the 
eastern egretta, I can find no mention of any peculiar characteristics differing from 
those found on the Southern Atlantic or the Gulf coast. Dr. Cooper has found 
the Californian birds abundant in the southern part of that State throughout the year. 
Being without doubt the bird referred to by Dr. Newberry as the Ardea occidentalism 
it is found in the summer as far north as the Columbia River. It in all probability 
breeds throughout this extended range, chiefly in swampy woods near the sea. Dr. 
Cooper met with a large number in June, in a grove near the mouth of the Santa 
Margarita River. He also met with it in May near Santa Barbara, and has procured 
examples also near Fort Mojave. 
Mr. Ridgway mentions having met with this bird once, in June, near Sacramento ; 
and on several occasions in the vicinity of Pyramid Lake, in the months of December 
and May. 
Captain Bendire informs me, January, 1875, that a large heronry of this species 
exists in the neighborhood of Fort Harney, about seventy-five miles south of Canyon 
City, Grant County, Oregon. 
The nests of this Egret vary greatly in position : some are found on the tops of 
lofty cypress trees from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet from the ground, 
others on low mangroves not six feet above the water, and others in intermediate 
positions. The nest is always a large flat structure, composed of sticks loosely put 
together. It usually overhangs the water, and is resorted to year after year by the 
