Birds and Nature Vol. 11 No. 5 [May 1902]

Оглавление

Various. Birds and Nature Vol. 11 No. 5 [May 1902]

“HARK, HARK, THE LARK!”

THE LITTLE GREEN HERON

THE HAND THAT STRUCK THEE DOWN

THE GOBBLER WHO WAS LONESOME

THE VARIED THRUSH

MISSOURI SKYLARK

THE MASTER’S PROTEST

THE SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN

TWAIN LOVES OF JEREMIAH

THE ORIOLE

THE ORCHARD ORIOLE

THE PRAIRIE WARBLER

APRIL BIRDS AND FLOWERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

BIRTH STONES

APPLE BLOSSOMS AND THE WARBLERS

RURAL RAMBLES

THE HORSE

A MELODY

THE VERBENAS

THE BLUE SPRING DAISY

THE LITTLE FEATHERED BOYS AND GIRLS

THE COTTON PLANT

THE CLOUD

Отрывок из книги

The Ardeidae, or the family of herons, egrets and bitterns, includes about seventy-five species, which are world wide in their distribution, though much more common in temperate regions. So widely scattered are the species of this family, whose Latin name means heron, that most persons who are deeply interested in the study of bird life are more or less familiar with their habits. The large size of the herons, together with their long bills, necks and legs, renders them conspicuous and demands more than a passing glance from even the casual observer. Many bodies of water in retired locations will harbor at the proper season one or more species of this interesting family.

One of the smallest of the herons, and one of the most common in many localities, is the Little Green Heron, familiarly known to the rural Hoosier boy as the “Schytepoke,” and to others as the “Poke.” It is not the purpose to give a description of this bird; those of our readers – if there be any – who are not familiar with it will find minute descriptions of it in all the standard manuals. However, a few observations on its nesting and feeding habits may be of some value and interest.

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The prey secured, the bird now walks to an open spot on the bank several feet away, if possible, from the water so that the fish cannot flop back into its native element. With a blow or two from the bird’s bill the fish is stunned and in another moment has started head first down the heron’s throat. As the latter stretches its neck, the descent of the fish is plainly to be seen until it reaches the body of the bird. If the heron is not yet satisfied with its meal, the same performance is repeated until at last it flies to some overhanging limb – usually a dead one – of a tree where it wipes its bill and finally flies away. By the last of August or first of September it has gone on its southern journey, and Indiana knows it no more till spring.

The farmer attempted to drive his majesty, Big Tom, back to his quarters near the barn, but the young turks disappeared at their father’s first warning cluck or signal, and Big Tom showed plainly that he resented interference with his own plans for his children’s future.

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