| OCR Text |
Show 273 ARDEIDJE.- HERONS. 163. Ardea herodias, Linn.- Great Blue Heron. Of common occurrence. 164. Herodias egrttta, ( Gmel.).- 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 candidxssima) is also said by Heermann to be numerous. 165. Butorides virescens, ( Linn.).- Green Heron. Common. 166. Botaurus minor, ( Gmel.).- Bittern. Quite numerous on the marshes throughout the State. GRUIDJE.- CRANES. 167. Grus canadensis, ( Linn.).- Sand- hill Crane. Of common occurrence in California. RALLID.*:.- RAILS. 168. Ballus elegans, And.- 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 tail 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 accompauy their parents after food. They began to be active about sunset, heralding the approach of dusk by loud ontcues. 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. Ballus 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 November, and it probably winters throughout the southern half of the State. The Sora Rail ( Parzana Carolina) was not noticed by us, nor do I find it recorded from the west coast. The Black Rail ( P. jamaUAensis) 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 tbe 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 and fall occurs with perfect regularity. ANATIDJB.- GEESE AND DUCKS. 171- Anssr hyperboreue, 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 dUbifrons 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. |
