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THE GREAT BLUE HERON. 
Ardea Herodias, Linn. 
PLATE CCOLXIX.— Male. 
The State of Louisiana has always been my favourite portion of the Union, 
although. Kentucky and some other States have divided my affections ; but 
as we are on the banks of the fair Ohio, let us pause awhile, good reader, 
and watch the Heron. In my estimation, few of our waders are more 
interesting than the birds of this family. Their contours and movements 
are always graceful, if not elegant. Look on the one that stands near the 
margin of the pure stream: — see his reflection dipping as it were into the 
smooth water, the bottom of which it might reach had it not to contend 
with the numerous boughs of those magnificent trees. How calm, how 
silent, how grand is the scene ! The tread of the tall bird himself no one 
hears, so carefully does he place his foot on the moist ground, cautiously 
suspending it for awhile at each step of his progress. Now his golden eye 
glances over the surrounding objects, in surveying which he takes advantage 
of the full stretch of his graceful neck. Satisfied that no danger is near, he 
lays his head on his shoulders, allows the feathers of his breast to droop, and 
patiently awaits the approach of his finned prey. You might imagine what 
yon see to be the statue of a bird, so motionless is it. But now, he 
moves ; he has taken a silent step, and with great care he advances ; slowly 
does he raise his head from his shoulders, and now, what a sudden start ! his 
formidable bill has transfixed a perch, which he beats to death on the ground. 
See with what difficulty he gulps it down his capacious throat ! and now 
his broad wings open, and away he slowly flies to another station, or per- 
haps to avoid his. unwelcome observers. 
The “ Blue Crane” (by which name this species is generally known in 
the United States) is met with in every part of the Union. Although more 
abundant in the low lands of our Atlantic coast, it is not uncommon in the 
countries west of the Alleghany Mountains. I have found it in every State 
in which I have travelled, as well as in all our “Territories.” It is well 
known from Louisiana to Maine, but seldom occurs farther east than Priuce 
Edward’s Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and not a Heron of any kind 
did I see or hear of in Newfoundland or Labrador. Westward, I believe, 
it reaches to the very bases of the Iiocky Mountains. It is a hardy bird, 
