l6 NOTES ON THE GREAT BLUE HERON 



down with a graceful movement of the long neck and when the 

 bird recovers its position the fish can be seen struggling in the 

 grasp of its captor. Sometimes they will fly forty or fifty miles 

 with food to supply their always hungry offspring. Their prin- 

 cipal food is fish but woe betide any frog or snake who may be 

 unwary enough to approach within striking distance of their 

 powerful weapons. 



The Herons of this section only raise one brood a year while 

 in the southern states they frequently raise two. It is hoped 

 that every reader of this article will use every effort to preserve 

 this nesting site of these magnificent birds. In thio connec- 

 tion the following clipping from the Buffalo Express of Novem- 

 ber 20, 1907 is of interest: 



WANT STATE TO BUY SWAMP LANDS 



Movement on Foot to have Tonawanda Swamp 

 made a Forest Preserve. 



WOULD BENEFIT CREEKS 



Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Creeks may dry up 

 if this Section isn't made a Reserve. 



Special to the Buffalo Express. 



Medina, Nov. 20. — The movement on foot to preserve the Tonawanda 

 swamp as a forest preserve is meeting general approval. Assemblyman 

 Eggleston has been asked to present a bill at Albany this winter to this end. 



It is desired that the state reserve not only the Tonawanda swamp dis- 

 trict, but buy all of the land adjacent to the canal feeder, which so fre- 

 quently overflows and leaves a long trail of expensive claims for damage to 

 crops and land. The aggregate of these claims alone, it is stated, would 

 more than suffice to balance the entire expense of the reserve. 



The Oak Orchard creek has its source in the swamp, as well as the 

 Tonawanda creek. Both streams, is is said, will dry up if the swamp dis- 

 trict is not preserved. 



While a great deal has been done in the eastern end of the state for 

 forest preserves, so far as can be learned this is the first effort made in this 

 end of the state. The swamp district is not of a malarious nature and no 

 reclamation is necessary on the ground of the general health. The idea will 

 have the hearty support of nearly everyone in Orleans county. Niagara, 

 Erie and Genesee counties, all of which contain a portion of the swamp dis- 

 trict, will be asked to support the movement. 



