238 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



unfortunately beautiful birds as the egrets shall have been 

 exterminated. 



Although there are a number of herons that have not been 

 mentioned, a complete enumeration would add nothing to 

 what has already been said concerning the relations of herons 

 to the welfare of man. While the direct economic value of 

 these graceful and beautiful birds may not be very great, they 

 add a charm to tlie scenery of lakes and ponds, the value of 

 which is not likely to be over-estimated even by those keenly 

 alive to the beauties of nature. It is a pity so many thought- 

 less people consider such birds legitimate prey for gun and 

 rifle. They deserve the fullest protection of the law and the 

 good-will of all intelligent people. 



