The Great Blue Herons 



moment of contact, after which they struggle into position with great 

 flappings. 



The Great Blue Heron may have his limitations, but he is no sluggard 

 nor licensed butt of ridicule. The late Mr. Oscar Nuhn, of Seattle, 

 recounted to me a passage to which he was eye witness, between a Great 

 Blue Heron and a Kingfisher. It seems that the heron was standing on 

 a log which jutted over a stream, and was industriously minding his own 

 business. But the presence of a strange fisherman on his preserves 

 excited the jealousy of the Kingfisher. The little gendarme made re- 

 peated noisy passes at the heron and, finally, emboldened by his own 



Taken in San Mateo County Photo by the Author 



A GROUND NEST OF THE CALIFORNIA GREAT BLUE HERON 



racket, charged full at the heron's head. Quick as thought the heron's 

 bill shot out, and the little king was neatly spitted. The impact of the 

 charge was such that the heron was knocked into the water; but he 

 quickly recovered, and the land had rest for a season. 



During the breeding season these large birds are gregarious. Their 

 immense nests — as big as a washtub, Finley says — are by no means to 



1892 



