70 LAKES AND RIVERS. 



tion. The heron, though it roosts on trees, is yet 

 like a web-footed bird in its habits. Yarreli mentions 

 a curious instance of a heron, which having captured 

 an eel, was, before it could swallow it, suffocated by 

 the fish twisting, in its contortions, round its neck like 

 a snake. 



The Plover family, or Charadriidce, are important 



THE BLACK-WINGED STILT. 



marsh birds; the Stone Plover, which breeds on 

 moors, being an exception. 



The Black-winged Stilt (Himaniopus melanopterus) 

 has, perhaps, longer legs, proportionately, than any 

 other bird. It is smaller than the lapwing, weighing 



