174 BULLETIN 135;, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



the shores of ponds, marshes, rice fields, and fresh-water meadows. 

 It seldom stands and waits for its prey, but prefers to pursue it more 

 actively. Stealing quietly along, with cautious and measured steps, 

 its quick eye detects the presence of a school of minnows; then 

 crouching low, with head drawn in, it takes a few rapid steps, its 

 sharp beak darts swiftly outward and downward with unerring aim; 

 sometimes it misses but often two or three of the small fry are caught be- 

 fore the school escapes. Its movements are so graceful, so swift and so 

 accurate that it is a pleasure to watch them, Audubon (1840) has 

 described its feeding habits very prettily, as follows : 



See, it has spied a small fly lurking on a blade of grass, it silently runs a few 

 steps, and with the sharp point of its bill it has already secured the prey. The min- 

 now just escaped from the pursuit of some larger fish has almost rushed upon the 

 beach for safety; but the quick eye of the heron has observed its motions, and 

 in an instant it is swallowed alive. Among the herbage yet dripping with the dew 

 the beautiful bird picks its steps. Not a snail can escape its keen search, and 

 as it moves around the muddy pool, it secures each water lizard that occurs. 

 Now the sun's rays have dried up the dews, the flowers begin to droop, the wood- 

 land choristers have ended their morning concert, and like them, the heron, fa- 

 tigued with its exertions, seeks a place of repose under the boughs of the nearest 

 bush, where it may in safety await the coolness of the evening. 



He also says: 



The food of this species consists of small fry, water insects, worms, slugs, and 

 snails, as well as leeches, tadpoles, and aquatic lizards. 



Oscar E. Baynard (1912) found in the stomach of an adult Louisi- 

 ana heron the remains of about 200 grasshoppers; and he reported 

 that 50 meals of young birds accounted for 2,876 grasshoppers, 8 

 small frogs, 17 cutworms, 6 lizards, and 67 smaU crawfish. Although 

 this species probably eats more fish than the other small herons, its 

 other food habits make it decidedly useful. 



Behavior. — When starting to fly, this, and all the other herons, 

 hold the neck extended in a long curve, with the legs dangling below 

 but, when well under way the head is drawn in between theshoidders 

 and the feet are extended behind to serve as a rudder. The wing 

 strokes are deliberate, but steady and the flight is direct and strong. 

 The morning and evening flights between roosting and feeding places 

 are often made in loose flocks or long straggling lines, sometimes at 

 a considerable height when traveling long distances. The white 

 underparts serve as a good recognition mark. The graceful and 

 elegant carriage of this heron has been referred to above. Quite a vari- 

 ety of croaking notes and squawks, some in soft conversational tones 

 and some loud and vehement, are heard in the rookeries. Although 

 it is more quarrelsome than the other small herons, it seems to get 

 along well with its neighbors. However, I once saw a Louisiana heron 

 alight on a little blue heron's nest and deliberately poke the eggs 

 out of it onto the ground; no resistance was offered, as the owner 



