NOTES ON OUR HERONS. 231 



this source. To what extent this is true is, I think, 

 partly shown in the notes I have taken in the field from 

 Aug. 14 to Sept. 9, 1875, inclusive. Just how these 

 movements should be interpreted the reader must judge 

 for himself, but I think the explanation here given is 

 most in accord with the facts, which I regret my inability 

 to describe as clearly as might be desirable. Valuable as 

 they undoubtedly are, written descriptions give but a 

 faint idea of the varied movements and daily habits of 

 our birds, which must be seen to be really appreciated. 



Now it is very evident, I may state at the outset, that 

 these great white herons know that their size and color 

 render them quite conspicuous ; and I noticed every day 

 the same movements on their part, which demonstrated 

 their appreciation of this fact. They invariably kept in 

 the middle of the tract of meadow, unless when feeding, 

 and then never ventured nearer than, say, one hundred 

 yards to the wooded margins of the meadow, or to the 

 near outstanding trees. This shyness, as it would be 

 called, was not of itself at all remarkable, but as it was 

 accompanied with another habit having direct relation to 

 it, it was very curious and clearly indicated reason. This 

 other habit was that of rising to a very great height 

 always when passing over woods, as was necessary on 

 coming in from the river, along the banks of which I be- 

 lieve they had their roosting-places. "While the less timid 

 blue herons would pass leisurely along the tree-tops, not 

 a dozen yards above them, the great white herons, on 

 being disturbed, or when voluntarily leaving the mead- 

 ow, would rise rapidly to an unusual height, and, appar- 

 ently keeping directly over the spot where they had been 

 standing, would not commence an onward flight until the 

 upward one was sufficiently prolonged to assure them that 

 they were wholly out of harm's way. So, when returning 



