STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



long time. He urges himself forward by slow regular flaps, his head drawn 

 in, and his legs extended. Now and then he sails in wide circles, and when 

 he alights he always wheels round and round before he settles. 



When a white row of herons are standing watching for fish along the 

 river, they look, against the blue sky, like statues of the purest alabaster. 

 They do not move towards their prc>', but watch till it approaches them ; 



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TlIK PEACOCK HERO.\, OR SUN BITTEK.N. 



they swallow it alive, or, if it is large, beat it on the water or shake it until 

 it is dead. They do not move until the tide drives them back, and even then 

 remain until the water reaches their body. 



They roost on trees, but rarely alight on the same tree, as if they were 

 afraid of being discovered by their great enemy, man. 



Often, while the flock are asleep during the day, two or more herons 

 stand, with outstretched necks, acting the part of sentinels. If there is 

 a splash in the water, as some great fish, such as the shark, giv^es chase 

 to another fish, the heron sentinels give a start, and seem much alarmed. 



