NORTH AMERICAN MARSH BIRDS 109 



easily; but if the fish is a large one, the heron may walk ashore with 

 it and beat it on the ground to kill it or may kill it by striking it in 

 the water. I have never had the patience to watch a heron long 

 enough to learn how long it would stand and wait for a fish to come 

 to it. I have found it more interesting to watch it stalking its prey, 

 a more active operation. Slowly and carefully, with stately tread, 

 it walks along in water knee deep, its long neck stretched upward and 

 forward; its keen eyes are scanning the surface and an occasional 

 quick turn of the head indicates a glimpse of a fish; suddenly it stops, 

 as if it had seen a fish, but it moves on again; at last comes its chance, 

 as in a crouching attitude the long neck darts downward, quick as a 

 flash; the stroke is not always successful, but sooner or later the 

 heron secures a meal. Sometimes, in its eagerness, the heron may 

 step beyond its depth and lose its balance, but a few flaps of its wings 

 restores its equilibrium and its dignity. 

 Audubon (1840) says: 



The principal food of the great blue heron is nsh of all kinds; but it also devours 

 frogs, lizards, snakes, and birds, as well as small quadrupeds, such as shrews, 

 meadow mice, and young rats, all of which I have found in its stomach. Aquatic 

 insects are equally welcome to it, and it is an expert flja-atcher, striking at moths, 

 butterflies, and libellulae, whether on the wing or when alighted. It destroys 

 a great number of young marsh-hens, rails, and other birds; but I never saw one 

 catch a fiddler or a crab; and the only seeds that I have found in its stomach 

 were those of the great water lily of the Southern States. It always strikes its 

 prey through the body, and as near the head as possible. Now and then it strikes 

 at a fish so large and strong as to endanger its own life; and I once saw one on 

 the Florida coast, that, after striking a fish, when standing in the water to the 

 full length of its legs, was dragged along for several yards, now on the surface 

 and again beneath. When, after a severe struggle, the heron disengaged itself, 

 it appeared quite overcome, and stood still near the sliore, his head turned from 

 the sea, as if afraid to try another such experiment. 



Wilson (1832) includes in its food grasshoppers, dragon-flies and 

 the seeds of splatter docks. Mr. Hastings says that it eats great 

 quantities of insects and mice. When the grasshoppers have been 

 thick he has seen it feeding in the open meadow on these insects- 

 entirely, often for two hours at a time; it does not chase them but 

 stands very still, allowing the insects to come within reach of its quick 

 beak. Arthur H. Howell (1911) adds crustaceans to the list. Bart- 

 lett E. Bassett wrote me that a bird he shot for me was carrying a large 

 black snake in its bill. Altogether the food habits of this species are 

 decidedly beneficial. It may occasionally take a few trout, but it 

 does not ordinarily frequent the streams where trout are found. 



Behavior. — When forced to make a hurried departure, as when 

 frightened, this heron makes an awkward start, as it scrambles up into 

 the air with vigorous strokes of its big wings, with its long legs dang- 

 Hng and its long neck outstretched. When undisturbed it starts more 

 gracefully; leaning forward, with extended neck, it takes a few steps 



