AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



121 



HABITS. 



The Green Heron is well known to all who spend much of their time out 

 of doors. He is known by all manner of names in different localities. It 

 will be a waste of time to learn them. It is much better to know the birds 

 by their true names. The habit of giving birds so many local names 

 causes much trouble to the real bird student. 



This is the heron that you most frequently flush from any pond hole. 

 He always gives a shrill squawk or shriek, or series of them, as he starts 

 his flight. His flight is easy and not ungraceful. He carries his head well 

 back on his shoulders, and his legs hanging behind so that they resemble 

 a lengthened tail feather. The description of this bird given by two cas- 

 ual observers would be apt to disagree in one particular, the length of his 

 neck. If you see him only when flying or running along the edge of a 

 stream you would think that he had a very short neck, for he keeps it 

 drawn well back on his shoulders. In reality it is very long for the size 

 of the bird. Just watch one when he lights on top of a tree after being 

 started from a pond hole. His body is scarcely visible but his neck is ex- 

 tended to its full length. 



He is an expert at fishing, using his bill for that purpose. If you are 

 fortunate and can secure a good place of concealment without his seeing 

 you will see how he gets his meals. You will see him standing in a shal- 

 low pond or brook, his eyes fixed steadily upon the water. His head is 



GREEN HERON NEST. 



