262 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



of the bird, which immediately took wing ; instead 

 of flying away, however, he hovered over the dog, 

 looking down at him like a hawk. We crouched 

 down and gave a low whistle, and the dog, coming 

 back, actually brought up the Heron within shot, 

 when we fired and killed him. The bird seemed 

 to follow every movement of the dog, and was so 

 intently eyeing him, that he never saw us until the 

 gun was raised ; he then turned at once to make off, 

 but too late. 



On the coast, the Heron feeds at low water 

 during the day, and in unfrequented marshes he may 

 also be caught fishing in broad daylight ; but when 

 compelled to get his living at reservoirs, ponds, and 

 rivers, which are oftener visited by his enemy, man, 

 he prefers to come just before daybreak or after 

 dusk. In autumn, when the brooks run dry, we 

 have frequently noticed the impressions of his long 

 toes, visible for miles on the soft mud, showing the 

 great extent of ground traversed in his patient 

 search for food. Fish, frogs, mussels, and even 

 water-rats, are all included in the Heron's bill of 

 fare. He will take young water-fowl too from the 

 nest, and after pinching them all over in his formid- 



