In Heron 
directions. Later, when the young are about 
half grown, standing in the nests or climb- 
ing out upon the branches, they are aceus- 
tomed to receive even the well-intendine 
visitor with volleys of half-digested fish, 
full in his face, as he climbs. One must eo 
prepared, and take the will for the deed, for 
the voungsters really think that this is what 
is wanted. The rookery at this time is in 
a terribly unsanitary condition—from our 
standpoint. Everything is besmeared, fish 
lie rotting on the ground, the heat is terrific, 
Haunts 199 
her nest with food for her hungry squabs, 
erack went a rifle, and four or five more 
helpless children were doomed to a linger- 
ing starvation. When I[ arrived, but a piti- 
fulremnant of frightened birds was left. The 
deserted nests confirmed the story that | 
afterward gathered from certain residents. | 
picked up one beautiful, plumed creature, 
not yet dead, that had lingered with its thigh 
shotaway, tillthe wound was a mass of gan- 
grene. Language which would adequately 
express my feelings and properly charac- 
Young Green Herons and Addled Egg. 
and swarms of insects add their torments. 
Nevertheless it is a wonderfully instructive 
place, and I would gladly spend days in it. 
This I hoped to do the past season, to 
study and photograph the family life of these 
herons, and journeyed over two hundred 
miles for no other purpose. Not even yet 
ean I calmly contemplate the atrocity. Cer- 
tain men, some residents, some visitors who 
probably consider themselves sportsmen, had 
gone there the season before, and early in 
the present season, for rifle practise! Hiding 
among the trees, whena mother heron alit on 
terize these men and their act would not be- 
come my profession. The town of Barn- 
stable has incurred a stain upon its name 
which ean only be atoned for by tak- 
ing the matter faithfully in hand, relent- 
lessly punishing the guilty, and enforcing 
the law in future. Possibly the remnant of 
this natural wonder, that is of interest to 
the thousands of nature-lovers, may yet be 
saved, and the rookery in time be repop- 
ulated, if exempted from future depreda- 
tions. 
Out in North Dakota, where trees are 
