T0 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
the American Egret, almost twice his size, might be found 
everywhere in the swampy groves of temperate and 
tropical America, from New Jersey across to Minnesota 
and Oregon, and as far south as Patagonia in South 
America. Within a few years I have seen one or two in 
autumn in the marshes back of our bay below, for like 
many birds they wander about after the nesting season. 
Their food consists of small fish, —- shrimps, water-beetles, 
etc., —so that they never make their homes far from moist 
places. Now, in this country at least, the race is nearly 
gone, and it will be only by the strictest laws and most 
complete protection that it will be possible for the tribe to 
increase. ‘To regain its old footing cannot be hoped for. 
“The beginning of the tragedy came by woman’s love 
of finery, and only by her resolutely giving it up can the 
trouble be ended. 
“Through some happening it was discovered that this 
mantle of feathers could be made into ornaments for hats 
and hair that were not only widely sought, but brought 
a high price. This was enough; bands of hunters were 
organized to search the swamps for the Herons and obtain 
the plumes when they were in the best condition. How it 
was to be done did not matter, and indeed it has taken the 
world many years to realize the horror of it all. 
‘‘These Herons breed in colonies. The nest, a stoutly 
built, slightly hollowed platform of small sticks, reeds, 
ete., is placed either in a tree or tall bush, care being 
always taken to keep it safely above the water-line. As 
the birds are very sociable, a single bush or tree would 
often contain many nests. 
“‘When the nesting season was well under way and the 
