710 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



SOME 20,000 SNOWY HERONS SEEK THE PROTECTION OF MC ILHENNY S BIRD CITY 



In this celebrated rookery at Avery Island, Louisiana, the' microphone was set up near several of the 

 nests to record the neighborhood gossip. The talk was far from musical. 





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I'liolograph by James Tanner 

 THE BELLOW OF THE ALLIGATOR WAS SUCCESSFULLY RECORDED 



When the reptile bellows, the horny plates on its back vibrate, causing the water to dance 

 and shoot spray two feet above the surface. Air sacs resembling those of a huge leopard frog can 

 be seen at the sides of the neck. Through the courtesy of E. A. Mcllhcnny, the fearsome performance, 

 which serves the same function as a bird's song, was caught by camera and microphone (page 708). 



