2 62 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



times pecking its very brains out. Amongst my 

 own pigeons, I have from time to time noticed some 

 one or two birds which systematically bully the 

 rest. I tried various plans to prevent them, with 

 no results, and at last hit upon one which I have 

 found successful. This is to catch the bully and 

 fasten a paper collar round its neck. Birds always 

 select those of their number which have any 

 peculiarity about them as objects of aversion, and 

 the knowledge of this led me to try the experi- 

 ment. 



Like those of many birds intended to fly high 

 in the air, the bones of the heron are hollow and 

 without marrow, and their enormous wings and 

 small, light bodies are admirably adapted for 

 flight ; but they are very slow in getting up steam. 

 I had often heard it stated that when it is attacked 

 by a falcon the heron endeavours to impale its 

 assailant by so directing its beak as to transfix the 

 latter in its stoop, but I am forced to admit that 

 I was always somewhat sceptical regarding the 

 statement until a friend of mine related the follow- 

 ing, of which he was an eye-witness : One day, 

 when riding along the highroad near his house 

 to meet a friend who was driving over to see 

 him, he observed a peregrine falcon attacking 

 a heron, and so waited to watch the conflict. 

 Each time the falcon struck at the heron, the 

 heron dropped on the ground and pointed his bill 

 upwards at the falcon, which, being thus foiled, 

 immediately mounted again with extraordinary 



