104

1916

Concord, Mass.
1916
Aug. 30
to
Nov. 4

Marsh & river frequenting birds.
Great Blue Herons

  Of the larger marsh and river frequenting birds I saw
little or nothing this autumn excepting while rowing from
the Manse to Ball's Hill, with H. W. Henshaw [Henry Wetherbee Henshaw], during
the forenoon of September 7 [September 7, 1916]. They were then encountered
in greater numbers and variety than has happened
within my personal experience and along the same stretch
of river, for very many years. Besides enjoying the
sight of them we were glad to infer from their exceptional
fearlessness, as well as comparative abundance, that
they must be roosting there regularly and could not
have suffered recent molestation from gun-bearing men
or boys. This was especially indicated by the behavior
of three or four Great Blue Herons who flitted on singly,
ahead of our advancing boat, for the distance of a mile
or more, sometimes alighting in trees but oftener mid-leg
deep in shallow river reaches where they might stand