IN QUEST OF A NIGHT-ROOST 205 



within a few feet of the shad}^ willows^ and 

 after a careful stalk I was almost in their midst 

 without their being aware of my presence. It 

 was indeed a rare opportunity for getting ac- 

 quainted with these creatures as they are when 

 truly at home. They were so close that I could 

 see the yellow glint in the eye of a bluebill and 

 get interested in the hunting of a heron. The 

 latter waked suddenly from a siesta, took half a 

 dozen stiff -legged strides, and then attempted to 

 spear somehing in the water. I could not see 

 that he succeeded in getting anything in his 

 beak, but a little pied-billed grebe nearby had 

 better luck, for once when he bobbed up he was 

 pinching a small minnow. In order to swallow 

 him, the little fisherman deftly turned his vic- 

 tim and bolted him head first. 



When I had circled the entire island, I re- 

 turned and took up my former position at the 

 point. The company there again had come 

 ashore, but they were not to remain long un- 

 molested, for once more the duck hawk swooped 

 over the woods on lightning wing, and they had 

 to flee. Four times during the afternoon, as I 

 watched the bar, this persistent hunter struck 

 with murderous intent, but each time he failed. 



