HERONS 131 



lower down in smaller trees, one nest to a tree. The nests are 

 mere platforms of sticks in which from two to six unspotted 

 greenish blue eggs are laid in early May or sometimes in late 

 April. Three or four eggs are most often laid with us. Four 

 from Little Spruce Island, May 16, 1896, measure 2.51 x 1.78, 

 2.57 X 1.77, 2.56 x 1.77, 2.44 x 1.77. The nest was on the 

 limb of a spruce tree thirty feet from the ground, and was one 

 of a large number on the same island. 



When a colony is approached during the nesting season, the 

 large ungainly birds may be seen perched on the trees, often 

 flapping or holding up their wings temporarily to secure their 

 balance. When alarmed they fly away with a short croak, 

 returning to another perch near by or circling overhead with 

 legs far behind and head and neck in front. They often utter 

 a harsh "wak". 



When nests contain young these latter keep up an almost 

 continual calling for food, and if a nest with young is climbed 

 to these are not at all bashful about presenting the intruder 

 with a shower bath from either or both extremities. It is 

 rather dangerous to look over the brim of a nest containing 

 large young as they seem to think the eyes of the intruder are 

 fair game for their sharp bills. When sufficiently grown the 

 young stand erect in the nest, unsteadily swaying on their legs 

 and later on scramble out on the branches. 



About the inland ponds it is very interesting to watch the 

 adults engaged in fishing. A solitary individual may be 

 observed standing knee deep in the shallow water on the muddy 

 bottom, seemingly asleep or lost in meditation. When an un- 

 wary tadpole or horned-pout gets sufficiently near there is a 

 quick thrust of the bill and the prey disappears from view 

 while meditations are resumed. The birds vary this by wading 

 about seeking prey. Along the coast they show a decided 

 fondness for the vicinity of fish-weirs, doubtless realizing that 

 there is abundant opportunity for catching herring and other 

 small fry. Tliey feed both during the day and at night. 



