American Bittern: Botaurus lentiginosus (Rackett).—This is a local summer resident in marshes and heavy grassland. The species occurs temporally according to characteristics as listed in [Table 10].
Breeding schedule.—Eggs are laid in May and probably in June.
Number of eggs.—Clutch-size is 3 or 4 eggs.
Nests are placed on the ground in heavy cover.
White-faced Ibis: Plegadis chihi (Vieillot).—This is a local summer resident in marshland; actual records of breeding come only from Barton County (Nossaman, 1952:7; Zuvanich, 1963; M. Schwilling, personal communication, July, 1962). The species has been recorded in the State from April 17 to October 6.
Breeding schedule.—Twenty-five breeding records are for June and early July.
Number of eggs.—Clutch-size is about 4 eggs (3.9, 3-4; 24).
Nests are placed in emergent marsh vegetation near the surface of the water, in Barton County in extensive cattail beds harboring also Black-crowned Night Herons.
Mallard: Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnaeus.—This is a local summer resident around marshes. The time of greatest abundance is October to April, but most birds move north for breeding.
Breeding schedule.—Fifteen records of breeding span the period April 1 to June 10; the modal date of egg-laying is in the first ten days of May.