THE HERON 171 



with neck bent and head almost between his shoulders, 

 patiently waiting and watching for his food, almost as motion- 

 less as though he were carved out of marble. But he is alert 

 and active enough, and woe betide the unlucky fish or frog 

 that ventures within reach of that spear-like bill, or under 

 the gaze of that piercing yellow eye. Sometimes he may be 

 seen standing quietly on the mud on one leg, the other drawn 

 up close to his body and hidden under the long feathers ; but 

 if asleep he slumbers with one eye open, and the least sign of 

 danger causes him to unfold his big black wings and hurriedly 

 fly away. Generally the Heron looks remarkably graceful, 

 but when the long neck is held up to its full extent the bird 

 has an ungainly not to say ugly appearance. Although most 

 frequently seen on the ground, the Heron is an accomplished 

 percher, and may often be observed sitting on a slender 

 branch which bends nearly double under its ponderous burden, 

 or on the topmost spike of a larch or fir tree. Here he may 

 seem out of his element, but he is thoroughly at home. The 

 broad wings of the Heron make his flight appear somewhat 

 laboured, but he is capable of passing through the air at great 

 speed, and often flies for very long distances at a time, 

 frequently going as many as thirty miles to and from a 

 favourite fishing-place. The flight is performed by slow and 

 regular beats of the ample wings, the long slender legs are 

 held out behind, probably acting as a rudder, and the head 

 and neck are drawn close in between the shoulders. When 

 he is flying the wings have a singular arched appearance, 

 which renders the identification of this species an easy 

 matter. 



It is a pleasing sight to watch the Herons fly home at 

 eventide. They fly high, well out of danger of any ambuscade, 

 taught by bitter experience to give all suspicious objects a 

 wide berth. As the dusk creeps over woodland and field and 

 swamp, and the pale yellow light of the dying day illuminates 



