256 Cameron, Nesting of Great Blue Heron. [July 



situ one was lowered to a broken cottonwood stump underneath 

 the nesting tree. The bird, however, though it could stand so 

 erect in the nest, refused to do so for even the fraction of a second 

 outside, and as no amount of coaxing, nor our absence, had any 

 effect in altering its intention, only a picture of the crouching pose 

 could be obtained. The temporary removal of this young heron 

 caused one of its companions to leave its own nest and climb much 

 higher up to enter another. Several times it seemed likely to fall 

 into the water but managed to regain its balance with violent flap- 

 ping of wings. Later, when all was again quiet, the four real 

 owners of this nest stood erect indignantly protesting at this out- 

 rage on their rights, and one bolder than the rest endeavoured to 

 eject the intruder. The new-comer as valiantly resisted, and being 

 of the same size a protracted and most extraordinary battle ensued 

 which I witnessed through my binoculars. The birds would feint, 

 and spar for a hold, until one was able to seize the other by the neck 

 when, exerting all its strength, it endeavored to drag its antagonist 

 over the side of the nest. Both in turn had the advantage and 

 swayed backwards and forwards, while the three non-combatants 

 crouched down in characteristic fashion, so that the battle was 

 waged partly on their bodies and partly on the edge of the nest. 

 The fight was continued until an old bird arrived with fish, when 

 the five nestlings again stood erect, and, in the general scramble 

 for food, the parent fed all without discrimination. As it became 

 too dark for binoculars I saw no more that evening, but next morn- 

 ing the duel was renewed until the interloper became exhausted, 

 and, being driven from the nest, scrambled down the branch to its 

 rightful abode. As far as I could see, all the other young birds 

 lived in perfect harmony. 



The bill of young herons is a most formidable weapon, and in 

 handling them much greater precaution is necessary than in the 

 case of immature hawks or eagles; for they occasionably strike 

 at the face and might easily cause the loss of an eye. The descrip- 

 tion of a young heron is as follows : — Age, 5 weeks ; length from 

 point of bill to end of claws, stretched out, 42 inches; wing, 12 

 inches; tarsus, 5|; bill, 5|; weight, 4 lbs. The prevailing color 

 of the bird is slate gray, the feathers of the lesser wing-coverts and 

 neck edged with chestnut, while the primaries and secondaries are 



