314 



Bird - Lore 



('xcr(isiii)i; in}j;t-iniily, based on a, knowlcd^^c of {hv. liabits of the l)ir(ls, has 

 hiiill ii|) a, colony of |)rrlia,i)S .2,000 ncslinji; Snowy I^^grets almost in his dooryard. 

 La(c ill llie afU-rnoon llicsc and oIIut Herons of the colony bc^^in lo arrive in 

 numbers. Slandin^^ with Mr. Mclllienny on his lawn .1 have seen Ihe birds 

 tirrlvin|i; al a. height of from 100 lo 200 feel, until nearly over iheir nesis, Iheii 

 with win}i;s partly closed they volplaned almost lo Ihe bushes. A lew vifi;orous 

 win}j;-l)ea,ts, and I hey would settle anion^ the assembled liosts. I'Mocks of these 

 snowy crt'alures droppinji; fiom the sky make a stimulating and most charmiufj; 

 spectacli'. 



This is one of the birds that has been extensively shot by agents of the 

 feather Irade, the result of which has been thai but for the active elTorts i)ut 

 forth lo guard their nesting |)laces, the species would probably be on the very 

 verge of extinction in Ihe United States today. Thanks to Ihe liberality of 

 members of the Audubon Socii-ty and the friendly guardianship alforded by a 

 few private individuals, there are still some thousands of these beautiful crea- 

 tures left in our southern country, although Iheir mmibers have not materially 

 incrt>ased in the llnitc"d Slates even undei- piolection the past ten years. 

 Many people still shoot them when Ihey liave the opportunity, and l^'ish 

 Crows are evi'r on I In- lookout to take Iheir eggs. 



it would appear that the preservation of the species can be assured only 

 b\' a, persistent effort of guarding their nesting and feeding territories. 



If this can be conlinucnl without interrujition until the rising title oi 

 intiMesl in bird pioU'ction can penetrate the minds of the people dwelling 

 about the haunts of the Snowy I'^gret, its numbers ma>' again increase and 

 the species be saved lo our country. 



(■/'() lif CO 11! i lined) 



