BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 363 



young till they are able to shift for themselves, when they turn 

 them adrift without ceremony, and, from want of experience, 

 they often suffer for the want of food. They take three years 

 to reach maturity, and even after that period they sometimes 

 continue to grow. 



The Great White Heron, Ardea egretta, is, according to 

 Audubon, sometimes seen as far eastward as Massachusetts. 



The White Heron, Ardea alba, is inserted on the authority 

 of Audubon, who, as Dr. Brewer informs me, has ascertained 

 that it is sometimes found in this State. Its principal resi- 

 dence is in the southern regions, and when it comes to the 

 north, it is found on the low marshy shores of rivers and broad 

 swamps, where it is open to view, but contrives to escape from 

 injury by its watchful suspicion. 



The Snowy Heron, Ardea candidissima, is inserted on the 

 same great authority ; but it seldom comes farther to the north 

 than New York. It was said to proceed as far as the gulf of St. 

 Lawrence, but Wilson was probably misled by his informer. 

 They come from the south in May, and in summer they are 

 seen along the coast from this State to the gulf of Mexico. It 

 is a fine looking bird, with animated and graceful motions ; if 

 wounded, it defends itself vigorously, and sometimes inflicts a 

 severe wound. The fall of the leaf is the signal for its depar- 

 ture. This heron is often exposed for sale in the southern mar- 

 kets, and in the early part of autumn the flesh is said to be 

 good. 



The Night Heron, Ardea nycticorax, called the Q,ua-bird 

 from its peculiar call, is found in the southern states through- 

 out the year, but many of them come to the north in spring, 

 and their breeding places extend as far eastward as Maine. 

 One of their breeding places is found in a marshy island in 

 Fresh pond, in Cambridge, where they continue to resort, 

 though exposed to much persecution. Their sight by day is 



