These large birds are snow white, with the exception of their bill and feet, which are black. The nostril is situated nearer the end of the bill than it is to the eye. It is distinguished from the next by the small yellow spot on either side of the bill near its base.
Nest.—Are made of a large mass of rubbish, weeds, moss, grass, feathers and a few sticks, generally placed in marshy places near ponds or lakes. Three to six greenish or brownish buff eggs are laid (4.00 × 2.75).
Range.—North America, more common in the east, breeding in Alaska and the Arctic islands, wintering from British Columbia to the central part of California.
TRUMPETER SWAN. 181. Olor buccinator. 65 inches.
This magnificent bird, over five feet in length, with a spread of wing nearly ten feet, is found more in the interior than on the coast. Its plumage is the same as above, except that the bill is entirely black and the nostril is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits are the same as above, the eggs averaging a trifle larger.
GLOSSY IBIS—Family Ibididæ. 186. Plegadis autumnalis. 25 inches.
The neck and body of this bird is a rich dark chestnut color, glossy with purplish on the head; wings and tail glossy greenish black; bill, legs and feet carmine red, bill much curved downward.
This bird is just the same as the White-faced Glossy Ibis which is occasionally found in southern California, with the exception that the latter has the forehead and feathers, bordering the bill, white.
Nest.—Strongly and compactly woven of dead rushes attached to living stalks, and well cupped. Eggs 3 or 4 deep greenish blue color (1.95 × 1.35).
WOOD IBIS—Family Ciconiæ. 188. Mycteria americana. 45 inches.
Head and neck unfeathered and covered with scales, which are pale bluish in color as are also the legs. Plumage entirely white except for the primaries and tail, which are glossy purplish black. This is the only true Stork which occurs in North America, and is found only in the southern part of California and the most southern states near the Gulf of Mexico. They lay 3 or 4 white eggs (2.75 × 1.75).
LEAST BITTERN. 191. Ixobrychus exilis. 13 inches.
This small variety of Bittern is very common in the southern portions of the United States. They are very quiet and sly birds, and their presence is often unsuspected when they are really quite abundant. Their nests are made of rushes woven about the upright stalks; 3 to 5 eggs, bluish white (1.20 × .90).