198. Reddish Egret (Dichromanassa rufescens). L. 29. Two color phases independent of age. Ads. Dark phase, Head and neck rufous; back slate; about 30 "aigrette" plumes. White phase. White, including plumes; tips of primaries sometimes speckled with gray. Yng. Rufous and gray, or white, without plumes. Range.—West Indies and Central America north to coasts of Gulf States, Illinois (rarely), and Lower California. 199. Louisiana Heron (Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis). L. 26. Ads. "Aigrette" plumes, short, dirty gray; rump and belly white; legs blackish. Yng. Head and neck brownish; throat and line down foreneck white; above slaty washed with brownish, rump, and belly white. Range.—West Indies and Central America north to Gulf States, casually to Long Island and Indiana. 200. Little Blue Heron (Florida cœrulea). L. 22. Ads. Head and neck maroon; rest of plumage slaty blue. Yng. White, tips of primaries bluish, legs greenish yellow. Range.—Tropical America and eastern United States; breeds north to Virginia and Illinois, later may stray north as far as Nova Scotia; winters from South Atlantic and Gulf States southward. 201. Little Green Heron (Butorides virescens). L. 17. Smallest of our Herons. Ads. Crown, glossy green-black; throat and line down foreneck buffy; rest of head and neck purplish chestnut; back green washed with bluish gray. Yng. Neck and below streaked with blackish; back-feathers not lengthened; duller. Notes. A rattling oc-oc-oc-oc-oc, a startling scow, and, more rarely, a deep, hollow groan. (Brewster.) Range.—Tropical and temperate North America; breeds from Gulf States north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters from Gulf States southward to northern South America. 201a. Frazar Green Heron (B. v. frazari). Similar to [No. 201], but rather larger and darker, neck more purplish, light stripings on throat and foreneck more restricted. (Brewster.) Range.—Lower Califorinia. 201b. Anthony Green Heron (B. v. anthonyi). Similar to [No. 201], but slightly larger, and paler, light markings of wings, neck, and throat less restricted and whiter. (Mearns.) Range.—Arid portions of southwestern United States, south into Mexico.

Order VIII. CRANES, RAILS, ETC.

PALUDICOLÆ.

Family 1.CRANES.Gruidæ.3 species.
Family 2.COURLANS.Aramidæ.1 species.
Family 3.RAILS, GALLINULES, and COOTS.Rallidæ.12 species, 3 subspecies.

Cranes bear a general resemblance to Herons in that they are long-legged, long-necked birds, but when on the wing, they carry the neck fully extended, a habit which will readily distinguish them from the curved neck Herons. Cranes are less aquatic than Herons and are often found feeding on the prairies or pine-barrens where worms, grasshoppers, lizards, roots, etc., form their fare. They nest on the ground laying two buffy eggs thickly marked with brown. The young, unlike the nearly naked, helpless young of Herons, are born covered with down and can soon follow their parents. The Cranes have loud sonorous voices; the Herons raucous croaks.

The Limpkin is a singular inhabitant of the more retired Florida swamps. It feeds upon the ground largely upon a kind of land shell, but also perches in trees. Its nest of twigs is placed in a small tree or bush, and it lays from four to seven pale buffy eggs stained and speckled with cinnamon brown.

The Rails (Subfamily Rallinæ) are inhabitants of grassy marshes where, trusting to their long legs, they more often escape observation by running than by flying. One may hear their characteristic notes coming from the dense growth only a few yards distant and still be unable to catch a glimpse of their maker.

Rails nest on the ground laying six to twelve or fifteen buffy eggs spotted with reddish brown. The young of all our species are born covered with a shining black down.

The Gallinules (Subfamily Gallinulinæ) are more aquatic than the Rails and are consequently less difficult to observe.