274 THE HERON ROBBED. CHAP. xm. 



attack with renewed vigour. So artfully did they 

 manage, that they kept the heron completely at bay, 

 and baffled all his endeavours to get away. Wearied 

 at last of the contest, he once more dropped some- 

 thing, which, from its length, seemed to be an eel. On 

 its being observed by his opponents, they quickly 

 followed it. In their descent, they fell a fighting 

 with each other. The consequence was that the eel, 

 falling to the ground, was set upon by the magpies. 

 The crows gave up fighting, descended to the ground, 

 and assailed the magpies. The latter were soon re- 

 pulsed. Then the crows seized hold of the eel with 

 their bills, and kept pulling at it until eventually 

 it .broke in two. Each kept hold of its portion, when 

 they shortly rose up and flew away amongst the trees. 

 In the meantime, the heron was observed winging his 

 way in the distance ; sick at heart, because he had 

 been plundered by thieves, and robbed of the food 

 which he had intended for his family." 



The Carrion and Hooded Crows also attack hares 

 and rabbits. " Whilst walking one morning along 

 the Deveron with a friend, our attention was attracted 

 by what seemed to us to be the faint cries of a child 

 in distress. On looking in the direction from which 

 the sounds proceeded, we beheld two crows pursuing 

 and tormenting a hare, by every now and then pounc- 

 ing down upon it. Each blow seemed to be aimed 

 at the head ; and each time that one was given 

 the hare screamed piteously. The blows soon had 



