Nov., 1914 FORTY-FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF THE SNOWY HERON IN UTAH 
247 
records of Utah breeding birds, we had hoped to complete very soon; hut a 
recent communication from H. W. Carriger containing a just rebuke from 
Professor Grinnell for withholding these records, has hastened their transcrip- 
tion. 
Lest we had forgotten some detail of Mr. Knudson’s reminiscences, and in 
the hope of gathering some new bit of information, Sunday last, August 30, we 
again visited him to hear anew his story. He told us of the many offers made 
him for the purchase of these lands, but he had loved and protected the wild- 
fowl from boy-hood and could not part with them now — only to the Govern- 
ment would he sell, which could offer the birds even more protection by estab- 
lishing a well guarded preserve. A few years ago a diminished supply of 
water from the Bear Eiver threatened the destruction of these marshes; but 
since the construction of an immense power plant, a permanent supply of 
water is assured, and these wonderful breeding grounds teeming with bird life 
will remain a heritage to posterity. Since the building of the Lucin Cut-off, 
which keeps the salt water of the Lake confined to the mouth of the bay, the 
Bear River is gradually freshening, and the saline matter is slowly being 
washed out, making it more healthful and affording better food for the birds. 
From Diary and Field Notes 
Bear River, Utah, April 22, 23, 1910. — Of sixty-four nests counted by Ed- 
ward Treganza, only a few contained eggs. A single colony found nesting in 
company with the Great Blue and Black-crowned Night Heron. Here the rushes 
were solid enough to sustain one’s weight. Each years’ tules withering, bowed 
their heads to the water until successive years’ growths matted one upon an- 
other, undulating in parched yellow waves, the troughs of which the herons 
chose for their nests. Along the ragged edges where the new, green growth 
appeared, an occasional nest was found constructed of broken down reeds and 
rushes woven into a secure platform and resting but a few inches above the 
water. 
Bear River, Utah, May 1, 2, 1910. — G. R. Walker, J. A. Mullen and the 
Treganzas again visited the Snowy Heron rookery. Nearly all the nests at this 
date contained full clutches ranging from three to six eggs, four and five being 
the usual complement. Following are the measurements of four sets taken 
from this colony. 
Set of six Set of six Set of five Set of eight 
1.73x1.30 1.71x1.29 1.65x1.36 1.28x1.60 
1.71x1.29 1.68x1.26 1.62x1.25 1.27x1.64 
1.77x1.30 1.70x1.31 1.65x1.22 1.28x1 66 
1.75x1.275 1.73x1.27 1.61x1.235 1 28x1 67 
1.72x1.29 1.67x1.27 1.67x1.34 1.31x1.68 
1.79x1.22 1.71x1.30 1.31x1.60 
1.29x1.59 
1.25x1.73 
The set of eight is exceptionally large, but only one egg gives indication of 
having been deposited by another bird. Both size and color of this egg shows 
considerable variation from the others. 
Bear River, Utah, April 11, 12, 1911. — Edward Treganza made an effort 
to reach the rookeries, hoping to secure some Great Blue Heron eggs, and to 
ascertain if any of the Snowy Heron had arrived ; but on the night of April 11 
a terrible storm blew up, bringing with it a heavy fall of snow and a sudden 
plunge downward of the thermometer. 
