I found these birds quite numerous in the Indian River Narrows, Florida, and for miles, one or more were always in sight. Rarely, a disturbed bird would swing aloft and circle over the sloop but most of them slipt silently into the water.
One, more daring, swam ahead of us for a quarter of a mile, its body entirely submerged and its narrow neck cleaving the water like a snake. They are fond of spreading their plumage, and giving themselves a thoro sun bath.
NEST: a bulky affair of sticks, grass, moss and often adorned with fresh leaves. Located in bushes or small swamp trees, in isolated colonies or in heron rookeries.
EGGS: 3–5, blue or green white, overlaid with chalky deposits.
Tropical America migrating north to Illinois (rare) and to South Carolina. Commonest in dense Florida swamps.