it shakes its head in a violent manner, as if to force its prey down
or drive it up again. In the latter case, it carries the fish to the
shore, and breaks it into pieces, which it then swallows.
This species has the subcutaneous cellular tissue highly developed,
especially along the breast, and the lower parts of the body, although
not by any means so much so as in the Brown Pelican. I have represented
a flock of these birds in the back ground, with the view of giving
you an idea of the swamps to which they usually resort. They are
on the edge of an alligator’s hole, at their avocations. The trees,
clad with dangling mosses, afford evidence of the insalubrity of the
atmosphere. You see the alligators with their heads and backs above
water, watching the motions of the birds.
LOUISIANA HERON.
_ARDEA LUDOVICIANA_, WILS.
PLATE CCXVII. MALE.
Delicate in form, beautiful in plumage, and graceful in its movements,
I never see this interesting Heron, without calling it the Lady of
the Waters. Watch its motions, as it leisurely walks over the pure
sand beaches of the coast of Florida, arrayed in the full beauty of
its spring plumage. Its pendent crest exhibits its glossy tints, its
train falls gracefully over a well defined tail, and the tempered
hues of its back and wings contrast with those of its lower parts.
Its measured steps are so light that they leave no impression on the
sand, and with its keen eye it views every object around with the most
perfect accuracy. See, it has spied a small fly lurking on a blade of
grass, it silently runs a few steps, and with the sharp point of its
bill it has already secured the prey. The minnow just escaped from
the pursuit of some larger fish has almost rushed upon the beach for
safety; but the quick eye of the Heron has observed its motions, and
in an instant it is swallowed alive. Among the herbage yet dripping
with dew the beautiful bird picks its steps. Not a snail can escape
its keen search, and as it moves around the muddy pool, it secures
each water lizard that occurs. Now the sun’s rays have dried up the
dews, the flowers begin to droop, the woodland choristers have ended
their morning concert, and like them, the Heron, fatigued with its
exertions, seeks a place of repose under the boughs of the nearest
bush, where it may in safety await the coolness of the evening. Then
for a short while it again searches for food. Little difficulty does
it experience in this; and at length, with the last glimpse of day, it
opens its wings, and flies off towards its well-known roosting-place,
where it spends the night contented and happy.
This species, which is a constant resident in the southern parts of
the peninsula of the Floridas, seldom rambles far from its haunts
during the winter season, being rarely seen at that period beyond
Savannah in Georgia to the eastward. To the west it extends to the
broad sedgy flats bordering the mouths of the Mississippi, along the
whole Gulf of Mexico, and perhaps much farther south. In the beginning
of spring, it is found abundantly in the Carolinas, and sometimes as
far east as Maryland, or up the Mississippi as high as Natchez. You
never find it far inland: perhaps forty miles would be a considerable
distance at any time of the year. It is at all seasons a social bird,
moving about in company with the Blue Heron or the White Egret. It
also frequently associates with the larger species, and breeds in the
same places, along with the White Heron, the Yellow-crowned Heron,
and the Night Heron; but more generally it resorts to particular spots
for this purpose, keeping by itself, and assembling in great numbers.
Those which visit the Carolinas, or the country of the Mississippi,
make their appearance there about the first of April, or when the
Egrets and other species of Heron seek the same parts, returning to
the Floridas or farther south about the middle of September, although
I have known some to remain there during mild winters. When this is
the case, all the other species may be met with in the same places,
as the Louisiana Heron is the most delicate in constitution of all.
Whilst at St Augustine in Florida, in the month of January, I found
this species extremely abundant there; but after a hard frost of a
few days, they all disappeared, leaving the other Herons, none of
which seemed to be affected by the cold, and returned again as soon
as the Fahrenheit thermometer rose to 80°. There they were in full
livery by the end of February, and near Charleston by the 5th of April.
Although timid, they are less shy than most other species, and more
easily procured. I have frequently seen one alight at the distance
of a few yards, and gaze on me as if endeavouring to discover my
intentions. This apparent insensibility to danger has given rise to
the appellation of _Egrette folle_, which is given to them in Lower
Louisiana.
The flight of this beautiful Heron is light, rather irregular, swifter
than that of any other species, and capable of being considerably
protracted. They usually move in long files, rather widely separated,
and in an undulating manner, with constant flappings. When proceeding
towards their roosts, or when on their migrations, they pass as high
over the country as other species; on the former occasion, they pass
and repass over the same tract, thus enabling the gunner easily to
shoot them, which he may especially calculate on doing at the approach
of night, when they are gorged with food, and fly lower than in the
morning. They may, however, be still more surely obtained on their
arriving at their roosting place, where they alight at once among
the lowest branches. On being shot at, they seldom fly to a great
distance, and their attachment to a particular place is such that
you are sure to find them there during the whole period of their stay
in the country, excepting the breeding time. At the cry of a wounded
one, they assail you in the manner of some Gulls and Terns, and may
be shot in great numbers by any person fond of such sport.
On the 29th of April, while wading around a beautiful key of the
Floridas, in search of certain crustaceous animals called the sea
Cray-fish, my party and I suddenly came upon one of the breeding
places of the Louisiana Heron. The southern exposures of this lovely
island were overgrown with low trees and bushes matted together by
thousands of smilaxes and other creeping plants, supported by various
species of cactus. Among the branches some hundred pairs of these
lovely birds had placed their nests, which were so low and so close
to each other, that without moving a step one could put his hand
into several. The birds thus taken by surprise rose affrighted into
the air, bitterly complaining of being disturbed in their secluded
retreat. The nests were formed of small dried sticks crossing each
other in various ways. They were flat, had little lining, and each
contained three eggs, all the birds being then incubating. Observing
that many eggs had been destroyed by the Crows and Buzzards, as the
shells were scattered on the ground, I concluded that many of the
Herons had laid more than once, to make up their full complement of
eggs; for my opinion is, that all our species, excepting the Green
Heron, never lay more nor less than three, unless an accident should
happen. The eggs of the Louisiana Heron measure one inch and six and
a half twelfths in length, an inch and a quarter in breadth; they
are nearly elliptical, of a beautiful pale blue colour inclining to
green, smooth, and with a very thin shell. The period of incubation
is twenty-one days. Like all other species of the genus, this raises
only one brood in the season. The little island of which I have spoken
lies exposed to the sea, and has an extent of only a few acres. The
trees or bushes with which it was covered seemed to have been stunted
by the effect produced by their having been for years the receptacles
of the Herons’ nests.
On the 19th May, in the same year, I found another breeding place of
this species not far from Key West. The young birds, which stood on
all the branches of the trees and bushes on the southern side of the
place, were about the size of our Little Partridge. Their notes, by
which we had been attracted to the spot, were extremely plaintive,
and resembled the syllables _wiee, wiee, wiee_. When we went up to
them, the old birds all flew to another key, as if intent on drawing
us there; but in vain, for we took with us a good number of their
young. It was surprising to see the little fellows moving about among
the branches, clinging to them in all sorts of curious positions, and
persevering in forcing their way toward the water, when over which they
at once dropped, and swam off from us with great vigour and speed.
When seized with the hand, they defended themselves to the utmost.
At this early period, they plainly shewed the sprouting feathers of
the crest. Many Crow Blackbirds had nests on the same mangroves, and
a Fish-Hawk also had formed its nest there at a height of not more
than five feet from the water. On the 24th of May, these Herons were
fully fledged, and able to fly to a short distance. In this state
we, with some difficulty, procured one alive. Its legs and feet were
green, the bill black, but its eyes, like those of an adult bird,
were of a beautiful red hue. Many were caught afterwards and taken
as passengers on board the Marion. They fed on any garbage thrown
to them by the sailors; but whenever another species came near them,
they leaped towards its bill, caught hold of it as if it had been a
fish, and hung to it until shaken off by their stronger associates.
On several occasions, however, the _Ardea occidentalis_ shook them
off violently, and after beating them on the deck, swallowed them
before they could be rescued!
The place farthest up on the Mississippi where I have found this
species breeding was on Buffalo Creek, about forty miles below Natchez,
and ten miles in a direct line from the great river. To the eastward
I have found them, breeding in company with the Green Heron and the
Night Heron, within a few miles of Charleston.
During summer and autumn, after the old birds have left their young,
both are frequently seen in the rice-fields, feeding along the ditches
by which the water is led to those places. At this season they are
uncommonly gentle and easily approached.
The Louisiana Heron acquires the full beauty of its plumage the second
year after its birth, although it continues for some time to increase
in size. The train and crest lengthen for several years until they
become as represented in the plate. To procure specimens in such
complete plumage, however, requires some care, for this state does
not last many days after pairing has taken place, and by the time
the young are hatched much of this fine plumage has dropped. When
autumn has come, only a few of the long barbs remain, and in winter
no appearance of them can be seen.
The flesh of the young birds affords tolerable eating. The food of
this species consists of small fry, water insects, worms, slugs, and
snails, as well as leeches, tadpoles, and aquatic lizards.
LOUISIANA HERON, ARDEA LUDOVICIANA, _Wils._ Amer. Ornith.
vol. viii. p. 13. pl. 64. fig. 1. adult.—_Nuttall_, Manual,
vol. ii. p. 51.
ARDEA LUDOVICIANA, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synops. of Birds of
the United States, p. 305.
Adult Male. Plate CCXVII.
Bill much longer than the head, straight, compressed, tapering to a
point, the mandibles nearly equal. Upper mandible with the dorsal line
nearly straight, the ridge broad and slightly convex at the base,
narrowed towards the end, a groove from the base to two-thirds of
the length, beneath which the sides are convex, the edges thin and
sharp, with a notch on each side close to the sharp tip. Nostrils
basal, linear, longitudinal, with a membrane above and behind. Lower
mandible with the angle extremely narrow and elongated, the dorsal
line beyond it ascending and almost straight, the edges sharp and
slightly inflected, the tip acuminate.
Head rather small, oblong, compressed. Neck very long and slender.
Body slender and compressed; wings rather large. Feet very long;
tibia elongated, its lower half bare, very slender, covered all round
with angular scales, of which the posterior are scutelliform; tarsus
elongated, slender, compressed, covered anteriorly with numerous
scutella, laterally and behind with angular scales. Toes of moderate
length, rather slender, scutellate above, reticularly granulate
beneath; third toe much longer than second, which is very little
longer than fourth, the hind toe much shorter but strong; claws of
moderate size, rather strong, arched, compressed, rather acute, that
of the hind toe much larger, the edge of that of the third regularly
pectinated.
Space between the bill and eye, and around the latter, bare, as is
the lower half of the tibia. Plumage soft, generally loose. Feathers
of the upper and hind part of the head elongated, tapering, decurved,
about six of them larger and much longer; of the sides, and especially
of the lower part of the neck, also much elongated and narrow. The
feathers of the fore part of the back long and narrow-pointed, those
behind extremely elongated, with long loose threadlike barbs; the
rest of the back with short soft feathers. Wing of moderate length;
primaries tapering but rounded, the third longest, second very little
shorter, first and fourth about equal; secondaries broad and rounded,
some of the inner as long as the longest primaries, when the wing is
closed. Tail very short, small, slightly rounded, of twelve rather
weak feathers.
Bill brownish-black on the greater part of the upper mandible, and on
the sides of the lower mandible towards the point; the rest yellow,
as is the bare space before and around the eye. Iris bright red.
Feet light yellowish-green, the anterior scutella dusky, as are the
claws. The general colour of the upper parts is light purplish-blue;
the elongated feathers of the head and hind neck above of a fine
reddish-purple, as are those of the lower part of the neck; the six
longest feathers of the head white. The long loose feathers of the
back dull purplish-yellow, paler towards their extremities. Throat
white, its lower part chestnut; a line of white all the way down the
fore part of the neck; the longer feathers of the fore part of the
breast dusky blue on their inner webs. The breast, abdomen, tibiæ,
and under wing-coverts, white; the lower tail-coverts tipped with blue.
Length to end of the tail 27 inches, to end of wings 28, to end of
claws 34-1/2; extent of wings 37; loose feathers from 4 to 5 inches
beyond the tail; wing from flexure 10-3/4; tail 3-1/2; bill along the
back 4, along the edges 5; bare part of tibia 2-1/4; tarsus 4-1/8,
middle toe 2-1/2, its claws 1/2. Weight 1 lb.
The Adult Female is precisely similar to the male.
The Young, when newly hatched, are covered above with pale
purplish-grey down, which is of greater length on the head, as in
other species.
The young fully fledged have the neck and fore part of the back
light brownish-red, the throat and lower parts white, as is the
hind part of the back; the quills, larger wing-coverts and tail,
light purplish-blue. The feathers of the head, neck and back are not
yet elongated. The bill nearly as in the adult, but the legs deep
greenish-olive.
After the first moult, the feathers of the head, neck and back, are a
little elongated, and begin to be tinged with the colours which they
have when the bird is full grown. The red of the neck is changed for
tints of blue and purple, as is that of the back, although remnants
of it are still seen. The fore part of the neck is white, mixed with
brownish-red; the legs lighter.
THE FOOLISH GUILLEMOT.
_URIA TROILE_, LATH.
PLATE CCXVIII. MALE AND FEMALE.
This bird is seldom found farther south than the entrance of the Bay
of New York, where, however, it appears only during severe winters,
for being one of the most hardy inhabitants of the northern regions,
its constitution is such as to enable it to bear without injury
the rigours of their wintry climates. About the bays near Boston
the Guillemots are seen every year in greater or less numbers, and
from thence to the eastward they become gradually more abundant. A
very old gunner whom I employed while at Boston, during the winter
of 1832-3, assured me, that when he was a young man, this species
bred on many of the rocky islands about the mouth of the bay there;
but that for about twenty years back none remained after the first
days of April, when they departed for the north in company with the
Thick-billed Guillemot, the Common Auk, the Puffin, and the Eider and
King Ducks, all of which visit these bays in hard weather. In the
Bay of Fundy, the Foolish Guillemot is very numerous, and is known
by the name of _Murre_, which it retains among all the eggers and
fishermen of Newfoundland and Labrador, where it breeds in myriads.
To those countries, then, I must lead you, good Reader, as there we
can with ease study the habits of these birds.
Stay on the deck of the Ripley by my side this clear and cold morning.
See how swiftly scuds our gallant bark, as she cuts her way through
the foaming billows, now inclining to the right and again to the left.
Far in the east, dark banks of low clouds indicate foul weather to
the wary mariner, who watches the approach of a northern storm with
anxiety. Suddenly the wind changes; but for this he has prepared; the
topsails are snugged to their yards, and the rest are securely reefed.
A thick fog obscures all around us. The waters suddenly checked in
their former course, furiously war against those which now strike them
in front. The uproar increases, the bark is tossed on every side; now
a sweeping wave rushes against the bows, the vessel quivers, while
down along her deck violently pour the waters, rolling from side to
side, seeking for a place by which they may escape. At this moment all
about you are in dismay save the Guillemots. The sea is covered with
these intrepid navigators of the deep. Over each tumultuous billow
they swim unconcerned on the very spray at the bow of the vessel,
and plunging as if with pleasure, up they come next moment at the
rudder. Others fly around in large circles, while thousands contend
with the breeze, moving directly against it in long lines, towards
regions unknown to all, save themselves and some other species of
sea birds.
The Guillemots pair during their migrations;—many of them at least
do so. While on my way toward Labrador, they were constantly within
sight, gambolling over the surface of the water, the males courting
the females, and the latter receiving the caresses of their mates.
These would at times rise erect in the sea, swell their throats,
and emit a hoarse puffing guttural note, to which the females at
once responded, with numerous noddings to their beaux. Then the pair
would rise, take a round in the air, re-alight, and seal the conjugal
compact; after which they flew or swam together for the season, and
so closely, that among multitudes on the wing or on the waves, one
might easily distinguish a mated pair.
Not far from Great Macatina Harbour lie the Murre Rocks, consisting
of several low islands, destitute of vegetation, and not rising high
from the waters. There thousands of Guillemots annually assemble in
the beginning of May, to deposit each its single egg, and raise its
young. As you approach these islands, the air becomes darkened with
the multitudes of birds that fly about; every square foot of the
ground seems to be occupied by a Guillemot planted erect as it were
on the granite rock, but carefully warming its cherished egg. All
look toward the south, and if you are fronting them, the snowy white
of their bodies produces a very remarkable effect, for the birds at
some distance look as if they were destitute of head, so much does
that part assimilate with the dark hue of the rocks on which they
stand. On the other hand, if you approach them in the rear, the isle
appears as if covered with a black pall.
Now land, and witness the consternation of the settlers! Each
affrighted leaves its egg, hastily runs a few steps, and launches
into the air in silence. Thrice around you they rapidly pass, to
discover the object of your unwelcome visit. If you begin to gather
their eggs, or, still worse, to break them, in order that they may
lay others which you can pick up fresh, the Guillemots all alight at
some distance, on the bosom of the deep, and anxiously await your
departure. Eggs, green and white, and almost of every colour, are
lying thick over the whole rock; the ordure of the birds mingled with
feathers, with the refuse of half-hatched eggs partially sucked by
rapacious Gulls, and with putrid or dried carcasses of Guillemots,
produces an intolerable stench; and no sooner are all your baskets
filled with eggs, than you are glad to abandon the isle to its proper
owners.
On one occasion, whilst at anchor at Great Macatina, one of our boats
was sent for eggs. The sailors had eight miles to pull before reaching
the Murre Islands, and yet ere many hours had elapsed, the boat was
again alongside, loaded to a few inches of the gunwale, with 2500
eggs! Many of them, however, being addle, were thrown overboard. The
order given to the tars had been to bring only a few dozens; but, as
they said, they had forgotten!
The eggs are unaccountably large for the size of the bird, their
average length being three inches and three-eighths, and their
greatest breadth two inches. They are pyriform or elongated, with a
slight compression towards the smaller end, which again rather swells
and is rounded at the extremity. They afford excellent food, being
highly nutritive and palatable, whether boiled, roasted, poached, or
in omelets. The shell is rough to the touch, although not granulated.
Some are of a lively verdigris colour, others of different tints, but
all curiously splashed, as it were, with streaks or blotches of dark
umber and brown. My opinion, however, is, that, when first dropped,
they are always pure white, for on opening a good number of these
birds, I found several containing an egg ready for being laid, and
of a pure white colour. The shell is so firm that it does not easily
break, and I have seen a quantity of these eggs very carelessly removed
from a basket into a boat without being damaged. They are collected
in astonishing quantities by “the eggers,” to whom I have already
given a character, and sent to distant markets, where they are sold
at from one to three cents each.
Although the Guillemots are continually harassed, their eggs being
carried off as soon as they are deposited, and as long as the birds
can produce them, yet they return to the same islands year after year,
and, notwithstanding all the efforts of their enemies, multiply their
numbers.