REDDISH HERON. 
89 
eager to convert it into a geographical race, it was at last, through 
the conservatism of the A. O. U., laid to rest in that refuge for 
questionable cases, the “ hypothetical list,” there to await the 
gathering of more decisive data. 
In the mean time, as it becomes necessary for me to describe its 
characteristics, I treat the white bird as an individual variation or 
phase of the present species, because I think this will be its ulti- 
mate destiny. But these white specimens have always been com- 
paratively rare, — in a hock of thirty birds not more than four or five 
will wear white plumes, — and the plume-hunters may exterminate 
them before any naturalist can have any opportunity to make 
further study of their origin. Indeed, as I write, the remnant may 
be yielding their plumes to the insatiable crew, for the heronries of 
the South have been almost wiped out during the last few years. 
Nuttall makes no mention of the Reddish Egret, though he does 
give a short note telling of the discovery of — the white 
phase. Our bird is not well known even at this day, few observers 
having met with it. It occurs regularly within the United States 
only in Florida and along the Gulf coast, though examples occa- 
sionally wander up the Mississippi valley as far as Illinois. 
These birds are said to begin breeding in March, and eggs have 
been taken through April. The young are nearly naked when 
batched, wearing nothing but a few patches of down ; but it is a 
disputed point whether all the young are white, or a part of them 
are blue. Audubon says that they are fed by regurgitation, grow 
fast, and soon become noisy. They leave the nest when about seven 
Weeks old, fully fledged and able to fly. 
The favorite feeding-ground of these Egrets is a mud flat over 
which the outgoing tide leaves but about six to ten inches of water, 
fn this they stand, and silently and motionless watch for their prey, 
Of using their feet among the water-plants, drive the fish — their 
principal food — from under cover. If they miss the object at 
tbeir first dart, they give chase; and though appearing so clumsy 
and awkward as to present a ridiculous figure while in pursuit of 
a scudding fish, are much more expert at this chasing than are any 
ofhers of their kin. The red-aniblue specimens and the white 
always gather in one flock, and it has been remarked that they 
quarrel with each other persistently, — white against white, as well 
as white against red ; but neither white nor red birds have been 
° attack any other species. 
rhe flight of this species is strong and graceful, and when two 
ales combat in mid-air their evolutions are performed with rare 
f 'll- Like many other birds, — aye, like most birds, — this Egret 
ess shy during the breeding-season than at other times. Some 
° servers deny them all credit for shyness, but admit that they seem 
