THE PURPLE HERON. 47 



leaving their nests only under great provocation. Of course 

 there were exceptions, some going as soon as danger 

 appeared, others even allowing themselves to be 

 approached and taken by hand from the nest. These 

 latter, in particular, adopted a Bittern-like attitude 

 (Plate 32), with the bill held nearly vertically upwards, 

 trying to make themselves as much like reeds as possible. 

 Old birds were seen standing about the colony in this 

 upright position when alarmed, and it may be of more 

 common occurrence than is supposed, for if the positions 

 of the eyes in the photograph be carefully examined, 

 it will be seen that they are specially placed to suit this 

 attitude and give the bird the same double focus of an 

 enemy as when the head is horizontal. 



Just as an Owl sitting thin and gaunt against the stem 

 of a fir tree will imperceptibly turn its head to follow 

 an intruder, so did these Herons always contrive, 

 without apparent movement, to face one squarely, their 

 two eyes always staring straight at you from each side of 

 the upturned bill. 



