GEEAT BLUE HERON 283 



tion, the bill pointing almost directly upward, and the black 

 and ochre stripes showing clearly on the neck. The Bit- 

 tern on the wing looks brown, and is much larger than a 

 crow. (See, also, under Least Bittern, p. 285.) 



Great Blue Heeon. Ardea herodias 

 42.00 - 60.00. Bill 4.30 - 6.25 



Ad. — Crown black, divided hy a broad white stripe; throat 

 white ; neck brown ; back and tail gray ; wings gray, broadly edged 

 with black; breast and belly streaked with black and white. 

 Im. — Top of head dusky; back browner. 



Nest, in trees. Bggs, bluish-green. 



The Great Blue Heron used to breed throughout New 

 England, but it is now doubtful if there are any of its 

 heronries left in southern New England. It is still a sum- 

 mer resident of the wilder portions of northern New York 

 and New England, and a not uncommon migrant in April 

 and May, and from the end of July till November. It is 

 found at the edges of lakes and ponds, or on the broader 

 reaches of rivers, and still more frequently in the salt 

 marshes and on the sandy or rocky ocean beaches. When 

 the bird is standing, its long legs and neck are very con- 

 spicuous, and its body seems ridiculously thin. It is ordina- 

 rily silent on migration, only occasionally uttering a hoarse 

 quale; in summer two birds sometimes quarrel, uttering 

 loud, harsh squawks. 



It is always an extremely watchful bird, and long before 

 an observer approaches near it rises and flaps slowly off. ' 

 After it gets under way, it shortens its long neck so that 

 there is a perceptible tuck in it, and stretches out its legs 

 behind. It now settles into a flight which, though ap- 

 parently heavy, takes the bird along with great ease and 

 speed ; the strokes are often alternated with periods of 

 sailing. It frequently settles in the top of some tree at a 

 safe distance. Its wing-spread is as great as a Eish Hawk's, 



