Herons of the United States 



313 



'rookeries.' One seldom, if ever, finds them breeding by themselves; that is 

 to say, there are usually other species of Herons present. The nests, placed 

 in low swamp-trees or bushes, are rude affairs made of sticks and twigs, and 

 the four or five blue eggs are usually indistinguishable from those of the Little 

 Blue Heron. While feeding they are generally silent, but about the nest some- 

 times emit squawks and guttural notes, especially when engaged in combats 

 with their neighbors. In watching them in the colonies I have often thought 

 they must possess an irritable nature not usually exhibited by the more sedate 

 Little Blue and Night Herons. 



On visiting a Heron rookery one unfamiliar with the habits of the birds 



SNOWY EGRETS IN THE BREEDING COLONY AT ORANGE LAKE, FLORIDA, WHICH IS 



OWNED AND PROTECTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AUDUBON SOCIETIES 



Photographed by O. E. Baynard 



may easily get an inadequate idea of the numbers resorting there. During 

 the day many are away feeding. The birds are coming and going all the time, 

 hence one can learn of the full number only when the whole population assem- 

 bles. It is a fine sight to watch them coming in to roost. Singly or in scattered 

 flocks numbering from two or three up to a dozen or more, they appear flying 

 high or low according to the surroundings and strength of the wind. 



At Orange Lake, Fla., they often approach the breeding island, flying at 

 a height of only 4 or 5 feet above the water. When the colonies are in little 

 ponds closely surrounded by high forests the birds must necessarily fly in 

 over the tree-tops and then drop down to their nests. A situation somewhat 

 similar to this exists at Avery Island, La., where Edward A. Mcllhenny, by 



