198 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



sired tract of swampy land, though it must be said few 

 would think it worth while, or be willing to go to the great 

 trouble necessary. The only example of this which I can 

 cite is that of Mr. Mcllhenny, just quoted, of Avery Island, 

 Louisiana, who is an ardent naturalist. Desiring to have a 

 heron colony at his home, he took young herons from nests 

 and raised them by hand. These grew up very tame, 

 migrated away for the winter, but returned the next spring 

 and nested in the swamp close to the house. In course of 

 time others joined them and bred, and an immense colony, 

 aggregating many thousands of various kinds of herons, has 

 been permanently established. They build their nests of 

 sticks and twigs, and so large a number were destroying the 

 trees. Mr. Mcllhenny therefore began to provide them 

 with building material, and this spring, 191 5, he has had 

 carted in nineteen wagonloads of suitable twigs which the 

 herons eagerly appropiated. This, however, is a very differ- 

 ent matter from breeding herons in close confinement so 

 that they could be caught and have their plumes clipped. 

 It should also be borne in mind that plume feathers natu- 

 rally dropped are worn out, "dead," and are of little com- 

 mercial value. Even thus they are seldom found. In all 

 my own visits to egret rookeries I have found just one 

 aigrette feather naturally discarded. 



