Mar., 1908 



SOME NOTES ON THE GREAT BLUE HERON 



79 



tlejohn happened to be hunting Clapper Rails' eggs when he stumbled upon the 

 new heron colony, away out on the marsh, and flat upon the ground. 



In May, 1903, the writers made a flying visit to this interesting heron colony 

 and determined to visit it at some later date with the purpose of making a study of 

 the colony. 



Early in the morning of April 14, 1907, we got into a row boat at Redwood 

 City and commenced a four mile row, following the winding sloughs. Many shore 

 and marsh birds were surprised. At this date most of the waders and sandpipers 

 were in flocks preparatory to their migration. Among the birds seen were 

 Numenius longirost7-is, Sym-phemia semipalmata inornata, Eretintes occidentalism 

 Rallus obsoletus, Nycticorax ncevius, Calidris arenaria. Merganser soTator, 

 Arenaria melanoce-phala, Melospiza pusillula, several species of ducks and a few 

 gulls. An occasional solitary Blue Heron flying overhead kept us reminded of our 



A CORNER IN THE TERRESTRIAI, COI.ONY OE GRE^AT BtUE HERONS; 

 YOUNGSTERS IN WADING 



quest and tho rowing was tiresome we kept at it. 



Soon the slough connected with a large open channel and the Bay itself was 

 seen. Thinking we must be near the colony, we landed on the bank and saw it 

 to be about a half-mile further on. Herons were arriving and departing from all 

 directions, and with our glass we could see some 50 or 60 herons standing around. 



Resuming rowing we made for a landing place within one-fourth mile of the 

 colony and another peep was taken from the bank. This time a new scene was 

 displayed. The Herons had seen our approach and no flying birds were evident, 

 while those which were at the colony before, were now walking stealthily away. 

 Wishing to get a photograph of the flock of birds we rowed rapidly toward them, 

 and altho completely hidden from the birds while rowing, when we made our final 

 landing the birds had moved a considerable distance away, too far to photograph. 

 As soon as we stood out on the marsh land and took a few steps toward the flock, 



