THE NIGHT HERON. 411 



nests was not of the pleasantest, we limited our investiga- 

 tions to the securing of a few of the most recently laid 

 eggs. 



As my thoughts recall the occurrences of that day, num- 

 bers of otlier pleasant excursions and campaigns that I 

 have enjoyed with the gentlemen above named come back 

 to me ; and I hope the time is not far distant when we three, 

 with gun on shoulder and knapsack on our backs, may take 

 another good long tramp together. 



The eggs of the Night Heron are laid about the 20th of 

 May. They are usually four in number, and their general 

 form is an elongated ovoidal. In a great number of speci- 

 mens, the color is generally bluish-green, sometimes a light 

 pea-green or greenish-yellow. Their dimensions vary from 

 2.15 by 1.50 inch to 2.05 by 1.40 inch. About the latter 

 part of August, the young birds are found in deep woods, 

 and by many are esteemed as excellent eating, as they are 

 plump and fat. They leave for the South early in October. 



