THE BIRD BOOK 
200. Little Blue Heron. Florida ccerulea. 
Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north 
casually to New England and Manitoba; west to 
Kansas and Nebraska. 
A smaller species than the preceding, length 
22 inches, plumage a uniform slaty blue chang- 
ing to purplish red on the head and neck. They 
also have a white phase, but always show traces 
Pale bluish green 
of the slaty blue, especially on the primaries. 
Young birds are always white. They breed in 
immense rookeries during April and May. Their 
nesting habits and eggs are very similar to the 
last species, although the eggs average a trifle 
smaller. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. — Avery’s Island, 
Louisiana, April 21, 1896. 5 eggs. Nest a flat 
and frail platform of twigs in a Mimosa tree 
growing in floating turf, over deep water in a 
large swamp. Collector, E. A. Mclllienny. 
201. Green Heron. Butorides virescens 
virescens. 
, § 
Little Blue Heron Range. — Temperate and sub-tropical America, 
.urn eron breeding north to the British Provinces. 
This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well known all over the country. 
Sometimes they breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with the larger 
Herons, but in most sections of the country they will be found nesting, one or 
two pairs together, along the border of some 
swamp or stream. They have a greater diversity 
of building sites, than do any of the other Herons 
and frequently nest a long ways from water. 
Their nests may be found in alders, birches or 
even apple trees. It is the usual Heron type of 
platform, upon which the three to six eggs are 
laid. They are a pale greenish blue in color, and 
measure 1.45x1.10. Data. — Avery’s Island, Louis- 
iana, April 10, 18S4. 5 eggs on a platform of 
twigs placed in a willow tree growing on the edge 
Light bluish green of a pond. Collected by E. A. McTlhenny. 
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