es have a nauseating odor, from the remains of decayed fish, etc.,
which are strewn around the bases of the trees. Their eggs number from
three to five and are of a pale bluish green color. Size 2.00 x 1.40.
Data.--Uxbridge, Mass., May 30, 1898. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks, about
thirty feet up in a pine tree. Many other nests. Collector, H. A. Smith.

203. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. _Nyctanassa violacea_.

Range.--Sub-tropical America, breeding along the Gulf coast and to Lower
California; casually farther north, to Illinois and South Carolina.

A handsome grayish colored species, with long lanceolate plumes on the
back, and two or three fine white plumes from the back of the head, like
those of the Black-crowned species. Its black head, with tawny white
crown and ear coverts, renders it unmistakable. This species nests in
colonies or by pairs, like the preceding, and very often in company with
other Herons. They lay from three to six eggs, very similar in size,
shape and color to those of the Black-crowned Heron.

[Illustration 128: Pale bluish green.]
[Illustration: Black-crowned Night Heron. Yellow-crowned Heron.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 127

CRANES, RAILS, etc. Order VIII. PALUDICOLAE

CRANES. Family GRUIDAE

Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds, somewhat resembling
Herons. Their structure and mode of living partakes more of the nature
of the Rails, however. They are found upon the prairies, where besides
shell fish from the ponds, they feed largely upon grasshoppers, worms,
etc.

204. WHOOPING CRANE. _Grus americana._

Range.--Interior of North America, breeding from about the latitude of
Iowa northward to the Arctic regions; winters in the Gulf states and
southward.

The Whooping Crane is the largest of the family in America, measuring 50
inches or more in length. The plumage of the adults is pure white, with
black primaries. The bare parts of the head and face are carmine. It is
a very locally distributed species, in some sections being practically
unknown, while in a neighboring locality it may be rated as common. They
are very shy birds and are not easily obtained. They nest either upon
the solid earth or in marshy places over the water. In either case the
nest is a very bulky mass of grass and weeds from two to three feet in
diameter and raised perhaps a foot above the ground. They lay two eggs
of a brownish buff color, irregularly blotched with brown, and with
fainte