26 THE WILSON BULLETIN — March, 1921 



breeds only in the heavily forested areas of tlie larger 

 coast islands. I am informed that it formerly bre<l in some 

 nnmbers on Little Tybee island. The hnge nests were 

 placed near the extremity of the toi>most limbs of giant 

 short leaf pines and most of them were inaccessible. 1 

 am not aware of the i)resent location of any heionies; in- 

 deed this species has long since ceased to breed in any 

 numbers in this vicinity, therefore I am unable to otter 

 much information concerning its nesting habits. AVith its 

 behavior in autunui and winter upon its feeding grounds 

 in the marshes and on the mud flats I am better acquainted, 

 since it is much more abundant, or ap]>arent]y so. during 

 the above named seasons. 1 find it to be, as a rule, very 

 shj^ and ever on the alert, which is really surprising, in 

 view of the fact that it has so few enemies to contend with. 



The greater portion of its food is secured from the 

 salt marshes and the banks and shallows of the numerous 

 creeks that win<l tlieir Avay through them. It is often seen 

 in company of tlie smaller herons, particularly the Little 

 Blue species. At sucli times it is the first to take Aving at 

 the approach of danger, and usually is far away before the 

 intruder has arrived within a liundred yards of tlie s])()t 

 where it stood. Upon stationing itself in a shallow creek 

 to secure passing fish, if the latter are scarce the bird will 

 remain motionless in one spot for a long period of time; 

 apparently slnggish, and in an indifierent attitude; but 

 when fish are i)lentiful, it becomes very active, spearing 

 them right and left in rapid succession. 



At sundown, or a little before, numbers of these state- 

 ly birds can be seen slowly winging their way to\var-d the 

 forested portions of the islands, there to s])end the night. 

 They become much attached to these roosting places and 

 will not desert them as long as their aspect remains un- 

 changed and the birds are not greatly persecuted. 



Cas})icr(>(lius ('(/>■( ft<i — Ecjret. 



Of all the herons which nest in this connty this s]»ecies 

 is the most beautiful and interesting, as it is the least 

 abundant. The very few ])airs that are left to breed un- 



