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THE CONDOR
VOL. X

many kinds; and those little dark gray moths that cling so cunningly to bark of various trees during the day--almost invisible to human eyes, but easy forage for the Arizona Jay. How well it assists in Uncle Sam's reforesting problem is ap- parent, when a steep hillside, devoid of arborescent growth, is watched closely during acorn season, provided it is the one selected by the Jays for their winter granary. The number of birds you would see journeying back and forth in the course of a few days might cause a mental convulsion, let alone attem/)ting to count the acorns deposited. The ground universally selected contains much rub- ble, running to small fragments, say the size of a man's fist. Generally the acorns (for several are often deposited in one spot) are pushed under the side of the stone nearest to or facing the ravine; a wise provision for the birds' future, and a fortunate one for the possible future oak, as it guards against washing out in times of heavy rain; likewise conserving moisture in the months of drouth. The spring and sum- mer of the present year (1907) were dry, very dry; yet in many slopes seedling oaks were growing vigorously. No parent oak in the vicinity grew at a higher level; and as the acorn is quite too heavy to be transported by .wind action--at least up- ward--one may figure out conclusions. Perhaps the Woodhouse Jay (Ap/zelocorna wood/zousei) is resident, but I am convinced that, if so, 'they number but a fraction, when compared to the por- tion of the species that migrate here; and it was the visiting body that came to my attention. None were seen until September 21; next day found it fully reprt?- sented; so by October 1 a comparative estimate of numbers would put this species and A. s. arizonce on equal basis, with balance of power held by the Long-crested Jay ( Cyanocitla stelleri diademata) which held forth in the pine zone until the end of September. After that, a few adventurous individuals wandered down as low as 4500 feet. Barren was the opportunity for the study of water birds. In addition to an infrequent visit by Killdeers (Oxyechus voczferus), but a single kind came to be noted: A flock of eleven Black-crowned Night Herons (JVycticorax nycticorax ncevius) spending the morning of September 10 in a deep narrow canyon near the 4000 .foot level. Benson, Arizona. SOME NOTES ON THE GREAT BLUE HERON By H. W. CARRIGER and J. R. PEMBERTON OR a good many years a large number of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) occupied a large nesting colony upon the tops of some eucalyptus trees at Red.wood City, California. Thirsting for knowledge, and particularly bird- egg knowledge, the Redwood small boy made yearly trips to the heronry to study the inhabitants thereof, and so vigorous and attentive were their studies that the proud and classy Blue Herons declared a moving day, and the spring of 1900 found the once fruitful Mecca of the bird-egg boys a dreary and lonesome spot, except for a bunch of English Sparrows, who took possession of the old nests. Mr. Chase Littlejohn, well known to most Cooper Club members, often won- dered where the colony had moved to because the birds were as numerous as ever upon the marsh land between Redwood and the Bay. One day in 1902, Mr. Lit-