I20 THE ODYSSEY OF AN ANIMAL COLLECTOR 
eaten alive, but then I did not know the peculiar ways of the sun- 
bittern. Before the dog got too near to change his mind, the bird 
rushed forward to meet him with outstretched wings and some- 
how transformed himself into a most fearsome object, perform- 
ing contortions with his neck and hissing like a snake. This 
scared the life out of the dog, who turned tail and ran. 
I often stood close to this bird to watch him catch insects. He 
always behaved as though he was completely oblivious of my 
presence. His method of catching different insects was most il- 
luminating, for he changed tactics according to the prey. To 
approach within striking distance of a tropical grasshopper in the 
heat of the day when it is most active and alert is quite a feat, 
especially in short grass. The sun-bittern knows all about this and 
never makes a direct assault. Instead he makes a number of half- 
circles round the grasshopper with outstretched wings, the head 
always pointing to the prey and the neck waggling like a snake. 
The beak is slowly pushed nearer the insect as the bird gyrates, 
and when within easy striking distance a sudden and unexpected 
spring-like thrust puts an end to the hypnotized insect. 
In catching flies the technique is quite different. The fly, unlike 
the grasshopper, is quite indifferent to approaching danger until 
it is within a few inches. So the sun-bittern has no difficulty in 
getting within striking distance, and he then stretches his neck 
slowly forward till the tip of the bill is only a few inches from 
the fly. There is then a pause, and it seems the bird’s prominent 
red eyes distract the fly’s attention so that it does not realize the 
proximity of the finely tipped bill, which viewed end-on looks 
flattish instead of long and pointed. After the pause there is a 
short sharp stab, and the fly invariably falls a victim to these 
tactics. 
Collecting is a life of contrasts. On the lower crowded deck of 
the river steamer, on the first stage of the journey home, I had 
been busy tending my charges as we passed down the Essequibo 
River and then into the open sea on the way to Georgetown. On 
arrival there I was still juggling with a mass of foodstuffs and 
packing up everything prior to disembarkation; sweat was pour- 
ing from me and my clothes were suitable only for bush wear 
