16 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
the peninsula of Lower California, the whole of the desert region of the Southwestern United States 
and Western Mexico. 
Younger specimens (probably in the second year), of which No. 12670, is a fair example, have 
the forehead dusky-slate, there being only a few white feathers in the crown ; the cheeks strongly 
tinged with buff. The specimen alluded to is equally dark with that from Cape Flattery, W. T., 
and that from Mexico. 
Seasonal Variations. Although the plumage of this species is essentially the same through- 
out the year, there are certain differences depending on the season which are worthy of note. In 
the spring, or at the commencement of the breeding season, the bill, except on the culmen, is 
almost entirely yellow (generally a wax-yellow, brighter on the lower mandible) ; and the bare 
orbital space cobalt-blue, while from the occiput grow two long, slender, pendant, black plumes. 
After the young are hatched, these plumes are dropped, the bare skin around the eye has changed 
to a yellowish -green hue, and the upper mandible become almost wholly dusky blackish-olive, with 
only the tomia and lower mandible yellowish. Of some twenty specimens killed June 11, 1877, 
at the Little Cypress Swamp, of Knox Co., Indiana, none had the white occipital plumes, while the 
bill and orbits were colored as last stated above. These birds were all shot at their breeding 
grounds, where were about one hundred and fifty occupied nests, mostly containing full-grown 
young. A male killed at Washington, D. C., April 9, 1875, and consequently in perfect plumage, 
had the bill and soft parts colored as follows : — Bill dull wax-yellow, brighter on the lower 
mandible ; bare orbital space cobalt-blue ; iris bright chrome-yellow ; legs black, the tibiae inclin- 
ing to brownish ; soles of toes dull grayish naples-yellow. A female obtained in spring at Mount 
Carmel, 111., was similarly colored. 
The Great Blue Heron — one of the most eminently characteristic birds of North 
America — is found, in varying abundance, throughout the continent, south of the more 
northern regions, from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast ; it is also found in several 
of the West India Islands and in Central America. Richardson regarded it as only 
an accidental straggler in the Fur Region ; but Captain Blakiston notes it as a regular 
summer visitant, and as breeding on the Saskatchewan. It was found by M. Bour- 
geau, in July, 1858, breeding on one of the tributaries of the north branch of the 
Saskatchewan. There were several nests in a poplar grove, situated in a large ravine 
near a lake ; they were all about fifty feet from the ground. One nest, containing six 
eggs, was taken. This bird was found at Sitka by Bischoff, where it was rare ; and it 
is included by Mr. R. Browne in his list of the birds of Vancouver. In California, 
Dr. Cooper speaks of it as everywhere common about the shores and marshes, almost 
forming one of the characteristic features of the landscape of that region. It is 
resident, not even migrating from the Columbia River, though wandering to a consid- 
erable distance for food. It visits the islands along the coast, and occasionally stands 
to feed on the floating kelp at some distance from the shore. He found its nest with 
fresh eggs about April 24, near San Diego. The nests were built in oak trees, up dry 
ravines, at some distance from the water. Sometimes there were two or three nests 
in the same tree. At Santa Barbara, he found them in lofty poplars, three miles 
from the shore. They were loosely constructed of coarse sticks, laid flat. The 
eggs, four in number, measured from 2.60 to 2.68 inches in length, and 1.78 to 1.80 in 
breadth. The birds made no attempt to defend their nest, but flew around uttering 
a low croaking. 
It usually fishes in the early morning and in the evening, often wading up to its 
tarsal joint in the water, standing motionless, watching until its prey conies near, 
and then seizing it by a very rapid stroke of the bill, and swallowing it head down- 
ward. It also feeds on meadow mice, frogs, small birds, grasshoppers, etc. Its flight 
is rapid and easy, and when migrating is sometimes very high ; but it usually keeps 
near the ground or water. It is at all times very vigilant, and difficult of approach. 
