2 54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



iiig colonies formerly existed in every lai'ge swamp in the State, but constant 

 persecution and the destruction of the large trees which furnished their 

 nesting sites have greatly reduced the number of heronries. In recent 

 years they still existed near Cherry Creek, Lime Lake, Dansville, Potter, 

 Cincinnatus, Johnstown, Troy, Granville, Amenia, Jamaica sound, and 

 man}- other localities, but most of these have passed into history within 

 the last two decades. At present there are large heronries in the Tona- 

 wanda swamp near West Barre, Clyde river between Newark and Clyde, 

 Oneida lake near Constantia, several localities in the Adirondack region, 

 the largest probably being in the vicinity of Saranac and Cranberry lakes. 

 According to Mr O. W. Degan of Plum island there was still a breeding 

 colonv on Gardiners island in 1900. At present there are not over 50 pairs 

 in the West Barre heronry, but according to Mr William R. Maxon, there 

 are abotit 500 pairs in that at Constantia. 



Migrations. This is the hardiest of all our herons and is occasionally 

 seen in midwinter both on the coast and in the interior about the open 

 waters of springs and streams. The spring migration seems to begin about 

 the same time on Long Island and in the interior; the earliest arrivals 

 ranging from March i6th to April 5th, March 30th being the average date 

 in most localities. The greater number depart for the south between the 

 5th and the 20th of November. It is commonest during April, and from 

 August to October when the immature birds are likely to be found on every 

 creek and mill pond in the State wherever they are unmolested. 



The Great blue heron is a distinct addition to the picturesqueness 

 of our lake shores and river courses. "The haunts of coot and hem" lose 

 much of their charm when deprived of this stately bird. Like most of the 

 herons it nests in colonies and the old birds visit the streams and marshes 

 for miles around in search of their favorite food of fish, frogs etc. This 

 heron is undoubtedly the most destructive enemy of all our native birds 

 to trout streams and fish ponds. As it visits the ponds at night when the 

 trout are feeding in shallow water, a few herons will often levy a toll of 

 several dozens of fingerlings in a single night. When visiting trout ponds 

 early in the morning, I have occasionally found fish which had been speared 



