12 SIEUR DE MONTS NATIONAL MONUMENT 



the people on the train daily see the herons on their nests. 

 The nesting water and marsh birds now include snowy heron, 

 yellow crowned night heron, purple gallinule, Louisiana 

 heron, American egret, little blue heron, green heron, Florida 

 gallinule, American bittern, least bittern, king rail, anhinga, 

 wood duck, blue wing teal, gadwall, and mallard, besides a 

 number of species of land birds which make their homes in 

 the small twigs where the larger birds cannot go."* 



Such obvious appreciation of safe dwelling places, and 

 the manner in which they are frequented by constantly in- 

 creasing multitudes, would seem to indicate some method of 

 communication between our winged neighbors. Of all this, 

 however, as well as of bird psychology in general, we know 

 as yet but little. It is, nevertheless, a fully demonstrated 

 fact that, in some unknown way, the birds soon become 

 aware of the benefits of protected places and are quick 

 to take advantage of them. While if, in addition to freedom 

 from disturbing enemies, they are furnished with attractive 

 and convenient nesting facilities, with an artificially increased 

 food supply during the bitter winter months when natural 

 food is scarce and difficult to obtain, especially for the ground 

 feeding species; and with occasional shelters from severe 

 storms and driving snow, they will flock to any well-placed 

 sanctuary in constantly increasing numbers and variety. 

 Species which once were rare in the neighborhood will then 

 be found in relative abundance, the common kinds in aug- 

 mented numbers; while opportunities for observation and 

 study can be created to so favorable an extent in such a sanc- 

 tuary as to make of it practically a vast ornithological 

 laboratory. 



The importance of sanctuaries, therefore, both for con- 

 serving and increasing the birds of the adjacent regions, and 

 for the scientific study of their habits and economic value 

 can hardly be over-emphasized. And this is especially true 

 when they are placed under the Federal Authorities, for this 

 ensures their good administration and the enforcement of 



*How I Made a Bird City, by Edward A. McIUhenny, 1912. 



