29 



: 63. Ardea herodias Linn. GREAT BLUE HERON. 



Common migrant throughout the southern part of the State, breeding abun- 

 dantly in suitable localities north of the latitude of Indianapolis. Mr. Ridgway 

 also informs me that it breeds in Knox and Gibson counties. It may occasionally 



Great Blue Heron. 



breed throughout the Wabash Valley. I have never heard of its breeding on 

 the Whitewater, although it has been reported as breeding on the "Great Miami" 

 (Langdon Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., Jan. 1879, p. 17). They 

 usually breed in communities of greater or less number known as "heronries," but 

 occasionally are found erecting solitary nests. They have been reported also 

 as breeding in the following counties: Vigo (Evermann), Lake (Meyer), Allen 

 (Stockbridge), Porter (Trouslot), Steuben (McBride), Dekalb (McBride), Starke 

 (Deane, Dury), Clinton (Ghere). It is probable some may winter, in mild winters, 

 within the State. They migrate very early, usually in March and April, and return 



