201 



tree-tops. They were of three species, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea hero- 

 <//'/*;. the Black Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nceviusj, 

 comprising the majority, but the beautiful white plumage of the American 

 Egret (Ardea egretta) was conspicuous through the feathered cloud, and 

 these birds were quite numerous. Nearly all the trees throughout the belt 

 were loaded with nests, those of the first two species named being found 

 upon the same tree, but the latter birds appeared to build in little groups 

 by themselves. We did not climb to examine the nests, but most of them 

 appeared to contain young birds. Many of the trees were dead, apparently 

 from the effects of the birds building and roosting upon them." 



It is probable that some of these heronries along the Kankakee are 

 referred to twice in the references I have made. At present I am unable 

 to decide this matter. It is likewise very probable that there exists heron- 

 ries on the Kankakee within our limits of which we know nothing. In 

 this paper I have desired to bring to your attention, so far as I know it, 

 the location of the former or existing heronries in Indiana in the hope 

 that we may be able to locate all such sites as exist or have existed within 

 the State. 



This little article has served to acquaint you with the extension of the 

 known breeding range of the American Egret northward for a distance 

 equal to the whole length of the State of Indiana, and we find at the 

 northern part of this breeding range that they have been found nesting 

 in considerable numbers. Since this fact has been ascertained and we 

 have been able to note the arrival of these birds at their breeding ground 

 in the spring, we found their absence during the period of the spring mi- 

 grations was only apparent, and that evidently their vernal pilgrimages 

 are made at night, and consequently, although they may be found in num- 

 bers at their nesting sites, it is very rarely, indeed, that they are to be 

 seen at this season of the year en route to their summer homes. 



