BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 13 



the same two farmers several were located. In the attempt to 

 reach the nesting- sites, I slipped on the wet ground and went 

 into the mud well beyond the top of my high boots. After 

 searching out a number of nests that we thought were suitable, 

 with the help of the irons we proceeded to climb the tree. The 

 bark of these elms is from i to 1/2 inches thick, making it 

 necessary to plant the spurs very deep to sustain the weight of 

 the body. We slowly ascended the trees while the disturbed 

 Herons circled over us with loud croaking, alighting occasionally 

 on some high point to watch our maneuvers. Great care is 

 necessary for approaching the nest from below as the slightest 

 disturbance of the nest brings down a shower of the dry white 

 droppings of the birds and this material is extremely irritating 

 in case it happens to reach an eye. As we approach the home 

 the female leaves the nest and flies in wide circles over our 

 heads croaking defiance to the intruders. On this trip to our 

 delight we found the young birds almost fully developed. They 

 are generally able to leave the nests July 1st. It was very 

 difficult to get good pictures the foliage being very thick but 

 the results shown in the accompanying photograph prove that 

 we were quite successful. 



We now tried to get several of the young Herons out of the 

 nest. This task was exceedingly difficult as they are big awk- 

 ward birds and cling tenaciously to every branch within reach. 

 We desired to get a photograph of the young birds out of the 

 nest and so persevered and one of the pictures shows two of 

 the young birds on the limb. The surrounding vegetation and 

 foliage is so thick that when on the ground it is almost impos- 

 sible for the birds to rise into the air. With the help of our 

 farmer companions we finally succeeded in bringing out the 

 camera and some of the young birds. The traveling is suffi- 

 ciently difficult of itself and this difficulty is, of course, greatly 

 enhanced when one's arms are utilized in the task of carrying a 

 heavy weight which must be kept dry at all expense. On the 

 edge of the woods we took another photograph of one of the 

 young which is also shown. 



On returning to the farm to resume our trip in the wagon 

 we found it very difficult to handle the young Herons. Their 

 bills are very sharp and a single thrust of one of these powerful 

 weapons have been known to penetrate the brain of a full grown 



