BIRDS OF CODORADO. 
6l 
191. Ardetta exiiis. Least Bittern. 
Summer visitant; rare. The only record for Colorado is a 
stnffed specimen now at Colorado Springs that was killed in 
the immediate vicinity. It is a little strange that no more is 
known of this bird in Colorado. It is a common bird in Kan- 
sas and extends clear across to the Pacific Ocean, though less 
common west of the Rocky Mountains. Under these condi- 
tions it must be more common in Colorado than its record 
wonld indicate. 
194. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. 
Summer resident, not uncommon ; in migration, common. 
Occurs throughout the lower portions of the State seldom going 
much above 5,000 feet, but a few find their way into the mount- 
ain parks. Around Fort Collins it is a rather common breeder, 
all the nests being placed on the tops of the tallest cottonwoods 
on the banks of the Cache La Poudre. In other parts of the 
State it sometimes selects more lowly nesting sites. Arrives in 
northern Colorado early in April. 
197. Ardea candidissima. Snowy Heron. 
Summer visitant ; rare ; not known to breed. At least 
seven specimens have been secured in Colorado and several 
others reported, representing both sides of the range, but all 
from the lower portions, not above 5,000 feet. 
198. Ardea rufescens. Reddish Egret. 
Summer visitant ; rare or accidental ; not known to breed. 
In the collection of C. E. Aiken, of Colorado Springs, there is 
a young bird of this species shot near that city. The bird is 
not young enough to indicate that it was hatched in the vicin- 
ity, but probably wandered north in the fall after having been 
reared much farther south. This is the only record for Colo- 
rado. 
202. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned 
Night Heron. 
Summer resident ; not common and local; in migration, 
not uncommon. Since it occnrs through most of the United 
States, this Heron probably will be found west of the range, 
bnt at present all of the records refer to the plains country east 
of the Rockies and not above 5,500 feet. It breeds throughout 
its range. There is a heronry of this species a few miles from 
Fort Collins. Six years ago it consisted of about fifty pairs; 
now it is reduced to about half that number. The nests are 
close together occupying le.ss than half an acre on an island in 
the Cache La Poudre River. The eggs are laid about the first 
of June, the birds arriving the middle of April. 
