AKDEID.E— THE HERONS — ARDEA. IT 



When wounded it defends itself with its bill, and can inflict a dangerous wound. In 

 flying, it doubles back the neck between the wings, and allows the legs to stick out 

 straight behind. It has been known to collect in flocks of two hundred or more, near 

 the Columbia, when the herring were entering the bay in August. It is said to be 

 quite eatable when young, if properly cleaned. 



Captain Bendire mentions this species as a very common summer resident through- 

 out the lower Harney Valley, in Eastern Oregon. It breeds on one of the small 

 islands in Malheur Lake in great numbers, in company with the Double-crested Cor- 

 morant and the White Pelican. Its nests were placed on greasewood bushes, from 

 two to four feet from the ground, nearly every bush containing a nest. They were 

 all flat structures, built of such materials as were close at hand — dry sticks and 

 reeds, with a little swamp-grass for a lining. The usual number of eggs was five. 

 The measurement of the largest egg was 2.73 X 1.96 ; of the smallest, 2.40 X 1.82 ; 

 and the average, 2.65 x 1.80. The first laid eggs in a set were usually of a lighter 

 or faded color. The female began to lay about the 20tli of April. The young for 

 the first two weeks were nearly destitute of feathers, and made a hissing noise when 

 disturbed. They sit close together in a circle on their nests, with their heads all 

 turned toward its centre. When one of their colonies is disturbed, the old birds at 

 once depart, without any manifestation of concern. 



This Heron is also known occasionally to breed on precipitous and rocky sides of 

 streams, where other opportunities are not present, making use of projecting ledges 

 of rocks instead of trees or bushes. 



Mr. Salvin notes the occurrence of this Heron near the Lake of Duenas, in 

 Guatemala ; it was seen fishing on the River Guacalate ; he also met with it fre- 

 quenting the lagoons on the Pacific coast of that Republic, and mentions its great 

 shyness. Professor Newton cites this Heron as occurring in St. Croix in March and 

 April, and again in August, 18o7. Mr. E. Newton had no doubt that it breeds on the 

 island, as it was observed there on the 10th of June. According to Dr. Gundlach, 

 it breeds in Cuba; and on the authority of Mr. Richard Hill and Mr. March, in 

 Jamaica. Mr. Dresser found it common in Tamaulipas, Mexico, all the year, except- 

 ing only the two coldest months ; and Dr. Berlandier, in his manuscript notes, 

 mentions its occurrence in Eastern Mexico from November to the end of February, 

 and as abundant throughout the entire State of Tamaulipas. 



Major AVedderburn gives this species as resident in the Bermudas, many arriving 

 in autumn, and a few remaining throughout the year. In 18-46 a nest of this bird 

 containing two eggs was found among the mangrove-trees in Hungry Bay, and the 

 Rev. H. B. Tristram is said to have kept one alive in his garden, at the parsonage 

 on Ireland Island, which was once seen to seize a Ground-dove and swallow it entire. 

 Mr. Hardis, however, regards it as entirely migratory in Bermuda ; first seen about 

 the 19th of September, continuing to arrive in October, when it becomes common, 

 and occasionally met with from that period to April; it then disappears for the 

 summer months. During the violent gale of October, 1848, a number sought refuge 

 in the Bermudas, appearing on all parts of the coast, and landing in a state of such 

 great exhaustion that five were taken alive. In arriving it was seen to keep close to 

 the surface of the water. 



Professor Verrill found this Heron breeding in the interior of Maine, a hundred 

 miles or more from the coast ; and Mr. Boardman informs us that it is found in New 

 Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as far to the north as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Accord- 

 ing to the observations of Mr. Giraud, it is common on all the salt-marshes of Long 

 Island, where it confines itself almost entirely to the wet and miry flats in the vicinity 



VOL. I. — .3 



