158 LOUISIANA HERON. 



again as soon as the Fahrenheit thermometer rose to 80°. There they were 

 in full livery by the end of February, and near Charleston by the 5th of 

 April. 



Although timid, they are less shy than most other species, and more easily 

 procured. I have frequently seen one alight at the distance of a few yards, 

 and gaze on me as if endeavouring to discover my intentions. This- appa- 

 rent insensibility to danger has given rise to the appellation of Egrette folle, 

 which is given to them in Lower Louisiana. 



The flight of this beautiful Heron is light, rather irregular, swifter than 

 that of any other species, and capable of being considerably protracted. 

 They usually move in long files, rather widely separated, and in an undu- 

 lating manner, with constant flappings. When proceeding towards their 

 roosts, or when on their migrations, they pass as high over the country as 

 other species; on the former occasion, they pass and repass over the same 

 tract, thus enabling the gunner easily to shoot them, which he may especially 

 calculate on doing at the approach of night, when the}^ are gorged with 

 food, and fly lower than in the morning. They may, however, be still more 

 surely obtained on their arriving at their roosting place, where they alight 

 at once among the lowest branches. On being shot at, they seldom fly to a 

 great distance, and their attachment to a particular place is such that you are 

 sure to find them there during the whole period of their stay in the country, 

 excepting the breeding time. At the cry of a wounded one, they assail you 

 in the manner of some Gulls and Terns, and may be shot in great numbers 

 by any person fond of such sport. 



On the 29th of April, while wading around a beautiful key of the Floridas, 

 in search of certain crustaceous animals called the sea cray-fish, my party 

 and I suddenly came upon one of the breeding places of the Louisiana 

 Heron. The southern exposures of this lovely island were overgrown 

 with low trees and bushes matted together by thousands of smilaxes and 

 other creeping plants, supported by various species of cactus. Among the 

 branches some hundred pairs of these lovely birds had placed their nests, 

 which were so low and so close to each other, that without moving a step 

 one could put his hand into several. The birds thus taken by surprise rose 

 affrighted into the air, bitterly complaining of being disturbed in their 

 secluded retreat. The nests were formed of small dried sticks crossing each 

 other in various ways. They were flat, had little lining 5 and each contained 

 three eggs, all the birds being then incubating. Observing that many eggs 

 had been destroyed by the Crows and Buzzards, as the shells were scattered 

 on the ground, I concluded that many of the Herons had laid more than 

 once, to make up their full complement of eggs; for my opinion is, that all 

 our species, excepting the Green Heron, never lay more nor less than three, 



