BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 339 



The heron {Ardea clnerea L.) has a length of 1 meter [about 40 inches], 

 and measures 170 centimeters [about 5^ feet] from tip to tip of its wings. 

 It has an ashy-gray color, a white forehead, grayish neck, and dark sides- 

 A streak running from the eye to the back of the neck, three long feathers 

 on the back of the neck, a triple row of spots on the front part of the 

 neck, and the long feathers of the wings, are black ; the beak is straw- 

 colored, and the legs brownish-black. It is found in the neighborhood 

 of shallow waters, where it roosts and has its nest on high trees. They 

 are frequently so numerous that hundreds of roosts are found close 

 together. The heron is very shy and cautious, and fishes by daytime 

 or during light nights standing or wading in the water. It prefers 

 fish measuring about 20 centimeters [8 inches] in length. 



As the herons are very injurious, the regulations i^rescribe that they 

 must be killed and their roosts destroyed in the Government forests. 

 But as in spite of these measures the number of herons is surprisingly 

 large in many places, owners of ponds must endeavor to get rid of them 

 as fast as possible by setting steel-traps baited with fish, or by laying 

 fish poisoned with strychnine in places frequented by herons. 



Ducks, both wild and tame, are very fond of fish spawn and young 

 fry. They should, therefore, not be allowed on spawning and raising 

 ponds, while in ponds where larger fish are kept they can do little or 

 no harm. 



Two varieties of the diver (the Podiceps cristatus L. and the Podiceps 

 minor Lath.) are frequently found in considerable numbers on large 

 ponds. The Podiceps cristatus is 95 centimeters [about 3 feet] long, of 

 a shining blackish-brown color on the back and a pure white on the 

 breast and belly. The sides are rust-colored with grayish spots ; the 

 cheeks, throat, and a large spot on the wing are white ; the beak is pale 

 red, the eye red, the foot horn-colored. Eound the neck there is a col- 

 lar of brown feathers, and on the head there is a top-knot in two parts, 

 which can be raised. The Podiceps minor is only 25 centimeters [about 

 10 inches] long, of a shining blackish-brown color on the back, and be- 

 low grayish with occasional dark spots. The throat is blackish ; the 

 head, sides, and front of the neck are brownish-red; the eye is reddish- 

 brown ; the beak yellowish-green at the root, and black at the point. 

 Both varieties are nearly always in the water; they dive often and long, 

 and fly but rarely. The Podicexjs cristatus lives principally on small fish ; 

 while the Podiceps minor, according to some statements, prefers worms, 

 snails, «S;c. It is very difficult to shoot these birds, because they are 

 exceedingly cautious and are rapid divers ; but it is easy to find their 

 rudely constructed nests in reed thickets close to the surface of the 

 water, and take their greenish eggs, which have a very fine flavor. 



Among reptiles which live on fish, we may mention the swamp turtle 

 {Emys europcea L.), and the two varieties of snakes, the Tropidonotus 

 natrix L. and the Tropidonotus tessellatus L., but they are so rare in our 

 ponds that they cannot do much harm. 



