Birds of Massachusetts. 209 
make it dangerous even for a man to encounter 
them, since they seem to know the points most un- 
guarded, and always aim at the eye. The blue her- 
on breeds, under various circumstances, sometimes in 
communities, sometimes apart; some nests are in 
very tall trees, some lower, and others are on the 
ground. The eggs are three, of a bluish white 
color, and larger than those of a hen. The old ones 
provide very liberally for the young till they are able 
to shift for themselves, when they turn them adrift 
without ceremony, and, from want of experience, 
they often suffer for the want of food. They take 
three years to reach maturity, and even after that 
period they sometimes continue to grow. 
The Great Warre Heron, Ardea egretta, is, ac- 
cording to Audubon, sometimes seen as far eastward 
as Massachusetts. 
The Wurrr Heron, Ardea alba, is inserted on the 
authority of Audubon, who, as Dr. Brewer informs 
me, has ascertained that it is sometimes found in 
this State. Its principal residence isin the southern 
regions, and when it comes to the north, it is found 
on the low marshy shores of rivers and broad 
Swamps, where it is open to view, but contrives to 
escape from injury by its watchful suspicion. 
The Ssowv Heron, Ardea candidissima, is insert- 
ed on the same great authority ; but it seldom comes 
farther to the north than New York. It was said to 
VOL. III.— NO. I-II. 
