BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



21 



FOOD. 



The following interesting observations on the food-habits are given 

 by Nuttall : " Fish is the principal food of the Great Heron, and for 

 this purpose, like an experienced angler, he often waits for that con- 

 dition of the tide which best suits his experience and instinct. At 

 such times they are seen slowly sailing out from their inland breed- 

 ing haunts, during the most silent and cool period of the summer's 

 day, selecting usually such shallow inlets as the ebbing tide leaves 

 bare or accessible to his watchful and patient mode of prowling ; here 

 wading to the knees, he stands motionless amidst the timorous fry, 

 till some victim coming within the compass of his wily range is as 

 instantly seized by the powerful bill of the Heron. * * * If 

 large, the fish is beaten to death, and commonly swallowed with the 

 head descending, as if to avoid any obstacle arising from the rever- 

 sion of the fins or any hard external processes. On land our Heron 

 has also his fare, as he is no less a successful angler than a mouser, 

 and renders an important service to the farmer in the destruction he 

 makes among most of the reptiles and meadow shrews. Grasshop- 

 pers, other large insects, and particularly dragon-flies, he is very ex- 

 pert in striking, and occasionally feeds upon the seeds of pond lilies, 

 contiguous to his usual haunts. Our species, in all probability, as well 

 as the European Heron, at times preys upon young birds which may 

 be accidentally straggling near their solitary retreats." 



In the months of March and April, 1885, I examined the stomachs 

 of twenty-three of these birds which had been killed by plume- 

 hunters in Orange and Yolusia counties, Florida. Twelve birds had 

 fed entirely on fish ; three had taken fish and cray-fish ; two, small 

 snakes ; one, frogs and fish ; one, fish and a few feathers ; one, traces 

 of beetles. Three birds were destitute of all food-materials. 



From my investigations made in Florida, as well as the records in 

 the following table, I would say this Heron is mainly piscivorous in 

 habit. 



