May 



water. To get a nearer view of the stranger I 

 went around the Pond, but was grieved to find 

 that there was a radical difference of opinion 

 between him and myself as to the desirability 

 of both of us being on the same side of the 

 water at once, as he immediately withdrew to 

 the opposite shore. This, however, gave me 

 an opportunity to note the greenish shade of 

 the back and the yellowish legs dangling be- 

 hind ; and, on approaching him cautiously the 

 second time, I could see the brownish color of 

 neck and breast. Thinking that the acquaint- 

 ance had now gone quite too far, he took wing 

 and disappeared entirely, but leaving behind 

 his name, if not his address, for it was evidently 

 the green heron. Inferior to the night heron, 

 as that is to the more beautiful and stately 

 great blue and great white herons, they are all 

 alike in the sadly reminiscent, melancholy air 

 that characterizes them in all their attitudes. 

 The heron is the impersonation of gloom, silence, 

 and solitude. Loneliness can only be expressed 

 by sentient life. A deeper sense of desolation 

 is aroused by seeing a water-fowl coursing in sol- 

 itary flight above the sea, than in the grandest 

 vision of the boundless deep, when unrelieved 

 by even the least appearance of vitality. 



141 



