Birds of The Palisades Interstate Park 
93 
Yellow- throat on the swampy margin where trees and bushes meet 
the swamp grass and buttonbush. 
60. Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias herodias Linn. 
This stately heron was not observed during the nesting season 
proper, and it is not probable that it breeds in the Palisades Inter- 
state Park region. One of the characteristics of this species, how- 
ever, is to wander from its heronries after the nesting duties are 
concluded, and thereafter to live singly or in pairs on secluded 
marshes and lake shores. About the middle of July it was reported 
to me by Dr. A. W. Abrams, of the State Department of Educa- 
tion, that he observed a Great Blue Heron on Cedar Pond. On 
the evening of July 21 a Great Blue Heron flew over the Guest 
House premises about sunset. It was flying rather low, with its 
legs and feet projecting backward, and if its wings had not been 
steadily flapping it would have been easy to understand how the 
modern aeroplane was conceived. This heron carries its long neck 
bow-shaped, with protruding beak, and thus travels forward with 
impressive movement. 
61. Black Duck. Anas rubripes Brewst. 
The Black Duck is common in the grassy swamp-ends of Little 
Long Pond and elsewhere in the Guest House neighborhood. A 
pair nested in the marshy foot of Little Long Pond, and in due 
time representatives of this family were seen throughout the season, 
feeding in the scattered swamp grass. This duck may be known 
by its black crown, with light brown head, neck and throat, and 
prevailing dark brown color of the plumage in general. The Black 
Duck is about the size of the Mallard. 
