TWO HERONS 
VN this age of death and destruction 
| to all living creatures, which, be- 
cause of their size or edible quali- 
ties, the so-called sportsman is 
proud to exhibit as evidence of his 
skill afield, it is remarkable that 
there should exist within twenty 
odd miles of New York’s City Hall 
a colony of Herons which would do credit to the 
most remote swamp of Florida. 
Three factors have combined to render this rook- 
ery possible: first, its isolation; second, the habits 
of its occupants; and third, the protection which is 
afforded it by the owner of the land on which it is 
situated. Of these, the first is by far the most im- 
portant, and I may be pardoned, therefore, if I do 
not betray the birds’ secret; for, much as I desire to 
encourage American industries, J must on this occa- 
sion withhold information of undoubted value to 
the feather trade. 
The birds’ habits contribute toward their preser- 
vation, because they are largely nocturnal, “ Night” 
being the specific name applied by the text-books to 
this particular kind of Heron; but to those who 
know him in nature, he is generally spoken of as 
“Quawk,” this being an excellent rendering of his 
common call. 
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