GEE AT AMERICAN WHITE EGRET 
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you wonder how it can hold, besides itself, the three young-ones which this 
species and all the larger Herons have at a brood. In a few instances only 
have I found it compactly built, it being the first nest formed by its owners. 
It almost always overhangs the water, and is resorted to and repaired year 
after year by the same pair. The eggs, which are never more than three, 
measure two inches and a quarter in length, an inch and five-eighths in 
breadth, and when newly laid are smooth, and of a pale blue colour, but 
afterwards become roughish and faded. When the nest is placed on a tall 
tree, the young remain in it, or on its borders, until they are able to fly ; 
but when on a low tree or bush, they leave it much sooner, being capable 
of moving along the branches without fear of being injured by falling, and 
knowing that should they slip into the water they can easily extricate them- 
selves by striking with their legs until they reach either the shore or the 
nearest bush, by clinging to the stem of which they soon ascend to the top. 
This Egret is shy and vigilant at all times, seldom allowing a person to 
come near unless during the breeding season. If in a rice-field of some ex- 
tent, and at some distance from its margins, where cover can be obtained, 
you need not attempt to approach it ; but if you are intent on procuring it, 
make for some tree, and desire your friend to start the bird. If you are 
well concealed, you may almost depend on obtaining one in a few minutes, 
for the Egrets will perhaps alight within twenty yards or less of you. Once, 
when I was very desirous of making a new drawing of this bird, my friend 
John Bachman followed this method, and between us we carried home 
several superb specimens. 
The long plumes of this bird being in request for ornamental purposes, 
they are shot in great numbers while sitting on their eggs, or soon after the 
appearance of the young. I know a person who, on offering a double- 
barrelled gun to a gentleman near Charleston, for one hundred White- 
Herons fresh killed, received that number and more the next day. 
The Great Egret breeds in company with the Anhinga, the Great Blue 
Heron, and other birds of this family. The Turkey Buzzards and the 
Crows commit dreadful havoc among its young, as well as those of the other 
species. My friend John Bachman gives me the following account of his 
visit to one of its breeding places, at the “ Round 0,” a plantation about 
forty miles from Charleston : “ Our company was composed of Benjamin 
Logan, S. Lee, and Dr. Martin. We were desirous of obtaining some of 
the Herons as specimens for stuffing, and the ladies were anxious to procure 
many of their primary feathers for the purpose of making fans. The trees 
were high, from a hundred to a hundred and thirty feet, and our shot was 
not of the right size ; but we commenced firing at the birds, and soon dis- 
covered that we had a prospect of success. Each man took his tree, and 
