384 PEALE'S EGRET HERON. 



even small mammalia. They often stand motionless on tlie margins ^f 

 ponds or marshes, concealed by the tall grass and weeds, with the neck 

 so bent as to rest the head on the back, waiting patiently for their prey 

 to pass within their reach, when they dart forward their sharp bill with 

 inevitable aim : but when tired of this, which is often unsuccessful, they 

 overcome their natural indolence so far as to move slowly through the 

 mud or water, stirring up as they walk by means of their long toes the 

 frogs or fishes that may be lurking in such places. Timid and cowardly 

 to a great degree, the smallest Hawk will turn their flight and often 

 master them, though capable of inflicting a dangerous blow with their 

 powerful beak. They build in companies in high trees, laying about 

 four eggs. The parents are, to a proverb, tender of their ofispring, and 

 carefully provide for them during the long time that they require their 

 assistance. Their voice is loud, hoarse, and monotonous, and heard 

 chiefly at night, when most of them are in motion. Their flight is full 

 of grace, and is performed with the neck bent backwards, and the head 

 resting against the back. 



The numerous species of this genus are dispersed over all climates 

 and countries excepting the very coldest. In no group does the size 

 vary to the same extent, as is exemplified in the American species by 

 the gigantic Ardea licrodias and diminutive Ardea exilis. 



The Herons properly so called, forming our subgenus Ardea, of 

 which the group Egretta is a subdivision, have the bill much longer 

 than the head, at base as broad, or even broader than high, and quite 

 straight. Their neck is very long, slender, and ornamented beneath 

 with slender, elongated, pendent plumes : their flanks are thin, their 

 legs very long, and have an extensive naked space above the heel. 



They are more diurnal than nocturnal in their habits, are the tallest 

 of the genus, and for the most part feed on fishes. There is scarcely a 

 fish, however large, that a Heron will not strike at and wound, even if 

 unable to carry it off". They both seize them in shallow water by 

 darting their bill, or in deep water by plunging it under as they pass on 

 the wing : they are therefore extremely injurious to fish-ponds, which 

 they devastate to an incredible extent, and consume so great a quantity 

 that a single Heron will destroy in a year several thousand large fishes, 

 without taking into account the small fry which are their chief depend- 

 ence. Even when gorged with prey, these greedy birds will sit medita- 

 ting further mischief, with their long necks sunk between their shoulders, 

 and their heads turned to one side, intently eyeing the pool ; and their 

 extraordinary power of digestion soon enables them to recommence their 

 task. But like other lean and hungry gluttons, the Heron is never 

 satisfied, his food avails him not, and he is generally an emaciated mass 

 of skin and bones. They do not hide themselves in grassy places, nor 

 attempt to escape danger by retreating to them, but on the contrary 



