34 The Night Herons, and thew Exodus. [ January, : 
the communion of fowls and dogs. Now the qua cries are thick- 
ening in the air, and the herons are coming fast. All this is too 
much for the young bird, so he is on the wing too to join his 
tribe. Albeit kindnesses received, he has cut himself from the 
white man and his ways. One would like to know how, with 
his superior education, this young person conducted himself; also 
how those illiterates, the old quas, received him. Well, this 
much must be said, as affairs will prove in a few days—the 
youngster has rejoined his tribe on the eve of an event the most 
remarkable in its history, one which might afford scope for the 
best exercise of bird wisdom, whether inherited or acquired. 
On my table, at this writing, lies a pretty egg, which seems 
to give inspiration for my task. It is really beautiful for its 
symmetry, also its one attractive color, with neither spot nor 
stain. The larger diameter is fifty-two m.m., or two and one- 
sixteenth inches; the lesser diameter is forty m.m., or one and 
nine-sixteenths inches. Of the color I should have said above, it 
is a lustreless, waxy pea-green; though some call it a sea-green. 
And what an interesting object it is to me! and how sad is this 
interest! At the beginning of June in our Centennial year, 1876, 
my pupil who acted as guide to the heronry, brought me this F 
egg, and with it the startling intelligence that the herons had 
gone! The community returned at the usual time, and had 
begun nesting. It happened that trade being dull in New Bruns- 
wick, many operatives were out of employment, and of these, not _ 
a few spent their time in a wanton destruction of the birds. Some — 
went to the heronry, although strictly private property, and neat — 
the homestead of its owner, and in despite of his earnest remon- — 
strances, a few shots were fired in the heronry. I am told that not — 
more than two herons were killed. Had this happened away 
from their nesting place that would have been of less moment. 
But here in their cherished home, it was too much for these birds, 
so timid, and so circumspect. But have birds feelings? Whe 
can doubt \it? Doth not God care for birds? Verily, “you! | 
Heavenly Father feedeth them.” What a resolution was that 
taken by these birds, every one of them. And how grandly — 
prompt the performance. Fitting hour it was too for so sad anact 
_—they left their home in the night—thus disrupting the bliss of 
the nuptial month by accepting a homeless uncertainty. That 
entire colony abandoned the spot where they and their ancestors - 
eee 
Ime 
-~ had dwelt for fifty summers. In p premanie maturity one mother: 4 
5 
