Great Nebraska

Naturalists and Scientists

NOU, E.F. Lefebure, Letter, 1906, Feb. 21

AUDUBON
PUBLICATIONS CO.
Lucas Lefebure, Manager
227 Masonic Temple
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mumford’s Photographed-from-Nature Bird-Study Pictures
Mountjoy’s American Bird and Nature Study Chart
All the best Bird and Nature Study and Protection Publications for schools and for public and private libraries
We want your ideas, suggestions, inquiries and co-operation in this important and fascinating line of work

FEB 23 Ans’d
February 21, 1906.

Prof. Lawrence Bruner,
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dear Sir:–
Mr. Jno. C. Mountjoy, Publisher of the American Bird & Nature Chart, states in a book that he has printed that the Black crowned Night Heron is the cause of the Ignis Fatuuis. That this bird causes these lights at will to aid in finding its food at night, and that upon being approached it ceases to give any light and soon flies away. Mr. Mountjoy also states that you are the one that made this discovery a few years since by careful watching of the birds from behind a blind.
Prof. Nutting of Iowa City, and another man state that they do not know any thing about this. Mr. Berry of this city, says that the Herrons and Bitterns have a bunch of matted feathers or down on the breast which gives off a phosphorescent light even after the bird is dead.
I would be very much obliged to you if you can give me some light on the subject to settle this dispute among several bird men.
Thanking you in advance, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
E. L. Lefebure