54 BIRDS OF OHIO. 
62. (194.) ARDEA HERODIAS Linn. 185. 
Great Blue Heron. 
Synonyms: Blue Crane. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165. 
This, the largest of our herons, is being jostled about at 
an alarming rate as its wooded retreats disappear. It is a 
summer resident in all parts of the state, but the large 
heronries once accommodating great numbers of pairs are 
either greatly reduced or wholly destroyed. I have reports 
of a great heronry at Richmond, and another, already re- 
duced to half its former size, some eight miles southeast of 
Jefferson. The water is being drained off and the trees 
made into lumber, and the birds must go. In Lorain county 
half a dozen pairs nest each year, but there is no apparent 
increase in numbers from year to year. Their nesting re- 
treats have not yet been discovered, so they are likely to re- 
main in peace for some time. 
Unlike the bitterns, the herons prefer either running water 
or stagnant water free from much growing vegetation. The 
Great Blue feeds mostly from the fish nets in Lake Erie, 
taking the fish out of the “pounds.” Batrachians are cap- 
tured in the streams and ponds, and some grasshoppers are 
used to vary the diet. 
The first reach Oberlin about March 20th, and the last 
return south about the middle of October. 
63. (196.) HeERopIAS EGRETTA (Gmel.). 186. 
American Egret. 
Synonyms: Herodias alba egretta, Ardea egretta. 
Great White Egret, Great White Heron, White Crane. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165, 185. 
Dr. Wheaton wrote of this heron, ‘‘Rather common vis- 
itor in July, August, and September.” It is now not only 
not common, but any record is counted worthy of special 
mention. Specimens have been taken in Erie, Lora:n, Cuya- 
hoga, and Ashtabula counties in recent years, besides the 
numerous records from counties farther south. D1. Whea- 
