273 
Ardeidae.—Herons. 
163. Ardea herodias, Linn.—Great Blue Heron. 
Of common occurrence. 
164. Herodias egretta, (Gruel.).—Great White Egret. 
This Heron was seen on quite a number of different occasions in various parts of 
Southern California. It appears to be a rather common summer resident. The little 
Egret (Garzetta candidissima ) is also said by Heermann to be numerous. 
165. Butorides virescens, (Linn.).—Green Heron. 
Common. 
166. Botaurus minor , (Gruel.).—Bittern. 
Quite numerous on the marshes throughout the State. 
Gruidae.—Cranes. 
167. Grus canadensis, (Linn.).—Sand-hill Crane. 
Of common occurrence in California. 
Rallidae.—Rails. 
168. BaUus elegans, Aud.—King Rail. 
This Rail was common in certain marshy spots close to the sea at Santa Barbara. 
They retired during the day into the beds of tall rushes, which served to screen them 
from all enemies, as well as from the glaring sun. By July 1 the young were out and able 
to accompany their parents after food. They began to be active about sunset, herald¬ 
ing the approach of dusk by loud outcries. They were not altogether quiet during the 
day, and they are probably forced to forage more or less during the uncongenial hours 
of day to satisfy the hunger of their young. 
169. BaUus virginianus, Linn.—Virginia Rail. 
This is perhaps the most generally distributed of the family throughout the United 
States. It appears to be quite numerous in Southern California; as much so in certain 
localities as anywhere in the East. I found it abundant at Walker’s Basin in Novem¬ 
ber, and it probably winters throughout the southern half of the State. The Sora Rail 
(Porzana Carolina ) was not noticed by us, nor do I find it recorded from the west coast. 
The Black Rail (P. jamaiciensis) appears to be fully as numerous in California as in any 
other part of its habitat. From information from Mr. Gruber I should judge it was 
rather common in the extensive tulle swamps in the State. It has also been found by 
this gentleman on the Farallone Islands. Its small size and skulking habits, combined 
with the inaccessibility of its swampy haunts, render the procuring of specimens- 
exceedingly difficult. **' 
170. Fulica americana. —Coot; Mud-hen. 
Very abundant on the fresh-water ponds throughout the State where they breed. 
The species is a resident one, though a migration in spring aud fall occurs with perfect 
regularity. 
ANATiDiE.—G eese and Ducks. 
171. Anser hyperboreus , Pallas.—Snow-goose. 
Great numbers of this Goose were seen on the prairies and in the stubble-fields south 
of San Francisco in November. 
172. Anser albifrons var. gambelii , Hartlamb.—White-fronted Goose. 
Immense numbers of this species winter in California, returning from their northern 
breeding-grounds in October and November. 
173. Branta canadensis, (Linn.).—Canada Goose. 
Very numerous in fall and winter. 
174. Branta canadensis, (Linn.), var. hutchinsii, Rich.—Hutchins’s Goose. 
Vast numbers throng the State, both along the coast and on the interior prairies. 
