82 



which are better recognized by species than as a subfamily. However, any such bird that 

 is obviously not a Bittern is probably a Heron. 



Nesting. Herons commonly build their nests in communities, usually in tree tops 

 in wet forests, but sometimes in bushes or on ground. 



The Herons are fishers of open shallows, haunting grassy bogs less 

 than the Bittern. Instead of stalking their prey they remain motionless 

 until it comes within reach. 



194. Great Blue Heron. BLUE CRANE. BLUE HERON. FR. LE GRAND HERON 

 BLEUE. Ardea herodias. L, 42. Plate VI B. 



Distinctions. The largest Heron found in Canada; the Sandhill Crane of the west 

 is the only bird for which it may be mistaken. The fully feathered forehead is diagnostic. 

 Compare Figures 18 and 20, p. 21. 



Field Marks. Heron-like outline, size, and general coloration make the best field 

 marks. Unlike the Crane that flies with neck outstretched the Great Blue Heron, like 

 other Herons, travels with neck folded and head drawn into shoulders. 



Nesting. Usually in large communities in wet woods, such as tamarack, ash, or elm 

 swamps, in nest of large bulky structure of sticks in tree tops. 



Distribution. Over nearly the whole of Canada, breeding wherever found. 



SUBSPECIES. The Great Blue Heron is divided into several subspecies, of which 

 the typical form, Eastern Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias herodias is the only one that 

 occurs in eastern Canada. 



The Great Blue Heron is a haunter of open, shallow water. It rarely 

 frequents dense reed beds, though it is often found on their outskirts or 

 on the edges of pools within them. It prefers wide shallow reaches of 

 rivers, or open flats of marsh or tidal shores. It is a still-hunter, cautiously 

 wading with almost imperceptible movements, or standing statuesquely 

 regarding the water until its prey comes within reach when, with a lightning 

 stroke of the sharp bill, the prey is secured. Herons, nesting in large 

 rookeries in wet woods, have been peculiarly open to the senseless per- 

 secution that seems to follow all our larger birds. Wary and Auspicious 

 ordinarily, in the vicinity of their nests they lose much of their usual 

 caution and, in the rookeries, the birds can be shot in numbers. Heronries 

 are usually known to all the surrounding country and are in the breeding 

 season often visited by the rural sportsman who kills the parent birds and 

 leaves the young to die of hunger, although a landowner has occasionally 

 sufficient public spirit to protect heronries on his property. The result 

 is that this picturesque bird is becoming scarce. Heronries once destroyed 

 in this manner are seldom if ever repopulated and new ones are rarely 

 established. Birds breeding in communities are seldom driven away to 

 new locations. They remain until the individuals composing them are 

 exterminated. The Blue Heron is a harmless bird and should receive 

 every protection possible. 



Economic Status. The food of the Great Blue Heron is almost entirely 

 animal in its nature consisting mainly of frogs, snakes, and small fish 

 usually of no economic importance. Cranes frequent the fields for food 

 but the Herons never do so. Occasionally Herons may visit trout streams 

 where they meander through open meadows, but such cases are rare and 

 insufficient for the condemnation of the species. Herons often frequent 

 the pound nets of the fishermen, but the limited size of their gullets pre- 

 cludes their taking anything of economic importance and the suspicion 

 of the net owners against them is unfounded. 



