336 THE HERON 



on the Rhine, often found mussels (Anodonta,, Unio) eaten out, which I 

 attributed to herons, whose traces were seen around the empty shells, 

 though I had no absolute proof of the eating by these birds. 



The heron's bill is very powerful, and has been known to pierce a 

 strong holly-stick. When wounded, the beak is used cunningly and is 

 a very dangerous weapon, especially as it is often aimed at the eyes of 

 dogs and men. A couple of herons have been found dead, one having 

 pierced the thigh of the other right through. The aggressor was 

 evidently not able to withdraw its beak, so that both died together. 



Between the breeding seasons herons sleep in trees or on cliffs, 

 and in the early morning, before it is quite daylight, fly towards their 

 feeding-ground singly or in company. They are always more or less 

 gregarious. Not only do they generally nest in colonies, but also 

 between the breeding seasons one more often sees them in twos or 

 threes or more together ; sometimes, on good feeding-grounds, even a 

 dozen or more not far from each other. Single herons are also seen 

 in winter, but not very often. They alight as a rule on dry ground 

 and walk into the water, though occasionally, but rarely, they alight 

 in the low water at once. They stand still for a short while, quite 

 motionless, with the neck straight up, but the beak horizontal, appar- 

 ently to make sure that there is no danger near, and then begin to 

 walk slowly and noiselessly through the water with curved neck, now 

 and then, by a sudden straightening of the neck, thrusting down the 

 bill into the water, and seldom without obtaining a fish or other prey. 

 The popular notion that they use feathers or other things as bait is 

 too ridiculous to be believed. As a rule the heron does not stand 

 motionless like a fisherman, waiting for fish to come near, but " walks 

 them up." On the other hand, it often stands for hours motionless, 

 in the same spot, on the look out for some unwary fish. A casual 

 observer will usually see a heron standing quiet and erect, but then 

 the bird has in most cases seen or heard him, and is standing at 

 attention ready to fly off at the slightest warning. When reposing, 

 the long neck is doubled up and rests between the shoulders, but as 



