The Green Heron 201 



many more of these interesting birds if tliey were not so constantly persecuted 



by their human neighbors. Green Herons sometimes come to 



""^^^ ponds where fish are being proi)agated, and cause the owners 



Enemies ^ , . r , , • , , 



annoyance by eatmg many of the young which have been 

 hatched and are being raised with so much care. This very naturally causes 

 the fish-raiser to become worried, and sometimes he gets his gun and shoots the 

 birds. From the data which it has been possible to gather, we now believe 

 that Green Herons, as a whole, do comparatively little damage, but that, 

 on the other hand, they may render mankind a distinct service. Quite apart 

 from seeking revenge from any real injury which they do about fish-ponds, 

 many men shoot them whenever they get the opportunity for the mere pleasure 

 of seeing if they can hit the birds. Many thoughtless and ill-trained boys 

 have been known to kill these trusting birds with little rifles, all of which is 

 wrong. 



Another influence which has tended to decrease their numbers has been the 

 craze which many boys have possessed for collecting all the birds' eggs they 

 could find. They have taken a peculiar pleasure in this pursuit, and so ex- 

 tensively has the practice been carried on in many localities that Green Herons, 

 as well as other birds of the region, have been largely depleted in numbers. 

 Collecting eggs should never be indulged in except by persons whose real 

 scientific interest in the subject is sufficient to warrant the state authorities in 

 granting them a license for the purpose. Even then, the collecting should 

 not be carried on to an extent which will be appreciably injurious to the 

 well-being of the birds. 



In most of the states in the Union, it is now against the law to kill Green 

 Herons except under permits granted by the state authorities, and all right- 

 minded persons should unite in giving these statutes their most hearty support. 



The Green Heron is classified as belonging to the Order Herodiones, the 

 Sub-order Herodii, Family Ardeidae, and the Sub-family Ardeinae. It is found 

 Classification in many suitable localities from Oregon and Ontario southward 



and to the West Indies and Venezuela. Besides the eastern form, to 



Distribution which this leaflet especially refers, two geographical races or 

 sub-species are recognized by ornithologists: Viz, Frazar's Green Heron {B. v. 

 frazari), a slightly larger, darker form from Lower California, and Anthony's 

 Green Heron {B. v. anlhonyi), a pale desert race occurring from northern 

 California, southward through arid Mexico. 



