WHITE EGRET. 501 
Creek. The temperature for several days had ranged below zero. This 
bird was in good condition. 
The food of this species, and in general of the family, consists of fish, 
frogs and other reptiles, small mollusks and aquatic larvew. These they 
secure by patient watching while standing in the water, with extended 
necks; when the desired prey comes within reach, the head and neck are 
so suddenly withdrawn preparatory to making a successful dart, that the 
eye can hardly follow the action. 
The nest of this species is placed in high sycamore trees, along rivers, 
or in the depths of a retired swamp. In localities destitute of trees the 
nest is placed on rocks.. Sycamore trees are especially affected by them, 
the light color of the limbs, and the peculiar tint of the foliage harmon- 
izing so well with their plumage, as to render their presence, when at rest, 
difficult of detection. 
The eggs are two or three in number, elliptical in outline, and light, 
dull greenish blue in color. They measure about 2.50 by 1.20. 
ARDEA EGRETTA Gmelin. 
Great White EKeret. 
Ardea egretta, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Rep., 1833, 165, 125.—WHEATON, Food of Birds, 
etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 1875, 573; Reprint, 13.—LaNna@pon, Cat. Birds of 
Cin, 1877, 15. 
Heredias egretta, WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1860, 1861, 368, 377; Reprint, 10, 19. — 
LANGDON, Revised List, Joarn. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hiat., 1, 1879, 184; Reprint, 18; Sum- 
mer Birds, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., iii, 1880, 227. 
Ardea egretta, GMELIN, Syst. Nat i, 17-8, 629. 
Herodias egretta, GRAY, Gen. of Birds, iii, 1849. 
No obviously lengthened feathers on the head at any time; in the breeding season, 
back with very lorg plumes of decomposed feathers drooping far beyond the tail; neck 
closely feathered; plamaye entirely white at all seasons; legs and feet black. Length, 
36-42 inches (not including the dorsal train); wing, 16-17; bill, nearly 5; tarsus, 
nearly 6. 
Habitat, Unitec States, southerly, straggling northward to Nova Scotia. Massachu- 
setts, Canada Wes', and Minnesota. Vest Indies; Mexico; Central and South America. 
Rather common visitor in July, August and September. Perhaps 
breeds in Western Ohio, but I have no record of its occurrence in spring 
or in the breeding season, nor seen any except young birds. Dr. Coues, 
In connection with this bird, Birds N W. p, 521, observes “that a cer- 
tain northward migration of some southerly birds at this season (sum- 
mer) is nowhere more noticeable than among the Herons and their allies, 
the migrants consisting chiefly of birds hatched that year, which un- 
accountably stray in the wrong direction.” 
