THE AMERICAN EGRET 133 



more quiet. The Egrets did not accept the situation so 

 readily. Seven pairs were nesting in the trees near me. 

 Some had eggs, others young birds in various stages of 

 development. Flying to and fro, with curved neck and 

 streaming plumes, the parents inspected the blind for some 

 time before thev ventured to alight in the home tree. Then 



An Egret Family After Feeding 



they came cautiously to the more distant branches, there to 

 remain indefinitely, while uttering a protesting rapid cuk- 

 cuk-cuk, with the regularity and persistence of a metro- 

 nome. Their strong desire to return to their nest was 

 expressed in an alertness which led them to make frequent 

 changes of attitude. In a large series of pictures of wait- 

 ing birds, no two have the wonderfully expressive neck in 

 the same position. It is remarkable how the pose of this 

 member affects a Heron's appearance. 



Doubtless, the young birds were not a little puzzled by 

 the unusual reluctance of their parents to administer to 



