Herons, Ralts, Etc. 219 
of their abundant presence is forever over. The dis- 
graceful persecution to which for some years they 
have been subjected, and the indifference of the gen- 
eral public, has caused their numbers to be so greatly 
lessened that some of the larger species are well-nigh 
exterminated. What were common birds in their 
season, half a century ago, are now rarely seen; and 
those that were tame, permitting a near approach, are 
now so exceedingly shy that we can only get the 
most unsatisfactory glimpses. It is often the case 
that we must be content with the view of herons 
‘flying over,” and never, apparently, settling any- 
where. 
It was a habit, too, at one time of herons to nest 
and roost in communities; these “heronries’” being 
a not unusual feature where there was a growth 
of heavy timber not far from water. The herons 
now are wise enough to build singly, and locate their 
nests in the most secluded places. The struggle for 
existence has been a violent one and the herons have 
been worsted. Scarcely a word of protest has been 
heard, and none that has proved effectual. Heron 
plumes became fashionable and the birds were 
doomed. 
This class of birds are, one and all, absolutely 
harmless and unfit for food, although occasionally 
some of them are eaten. There is not the slightest ex- 
cuse for killing them, any more than an excuse could 
be offered for shooting aswallow. There is no need 
now for ornithologists to collect additional speci- 
mens: that plea for collecting is worn threadbare. 
Their anatomy and habits are thoroughly known, 
