Tin: M W of Tin: nn:\ Mi 



TID: w.-11-known I U RON was <> one of the commonest European l-'ml-. l-ut on Mount of 

 the draining f swamps :nnl their on \.-rsion inl> fertilized and hal>ila)>lc ground, is BOW seldom 

 to be ; i in certain localities which still retain tin- conditions tie. 



tal.le (<. this liinl. Tin i ML- places \\li.-n- Hen .n- m \. : plentiful, Mpaoially thos,- 



- \iheie ill,- owner "f the land hM established or protected the nests, or where a wide 

 -.-.if wild iinculihaied -loimd alfords ih>-iu a retreat. Only a few day- .inn- sud- 



denly on three <>f these U-autiful I'inN lUliin^: onietly in a cn--k, uinl i-Tininim: my approach 

 within a few yards In-fur.- they .spread tln-ir wide wings for flight. 



The food of the Il.-n>n consists mostly of lish and reptile-., t-ut it will i-at small nutninia 

 Mich as mice, or -v-n water rats. In th<- .stomach of on.- of these birds wen- found seven small 

 tnuit, a moiis.. ainl a tliru-.li 1 .. U also are a favorite food of ti u. but on account >f 



tli' ii lithe bodies and active wrigglings are not eo easy to despatch as ordinary fish, ami are 

 !in_'ly taken on short" and banged against the ground until disabled Dr. N.-ill, quoted 

 l'\ ^ anvil, nit-ntions a -urioiis instau. <>f th- H.-ron fnnling on young water-hens. "A large 

 old willow -mi- had fallen down int.. tin- jnnid. and at th- -xtrt-mity. which is jBirtly sunk in 

 ili>- -I'M. niinn.- t<> vegetate, water-hens breed. The old cock Heron swims out to the 



nest and takes the youn- if he can. H- has t< swim t-n or twelve feet, where the water is 



en two and three feet d--p. His motion through the water is slow, but his carriage 

 I have seen him fell a rat at one blow on the back of the head, when the rat was 

 at his dish of fish." 



Like many other birds, the Heron is able to disgorge the food which it lias swallowed, 

 and resorts to this measure wh.-n it is chased by birds of pn-y while going home after a day's 

 fishing. 



While engaged in its search for food, the Heron stands on the water's edge, mostly with 

 its feet or foot immersed, and th.-n- remains still, as if carved out of wood, with its neck 

 retracted, and its head resting between the shoulders. In this attitude its sober plumage and 

 total stillness render it very inconspicuous, and as it mostly prefers to stand under the shadow 

 of a tree, bush, or bank, it cannot be seen except by a practised eye, in spite of its huge size. 

 The back view of the l-ird uhilc thus standing partakes largely of the ludicrous, and reminds 

 the observer of a large jargonelle pear with a long stalk stuck in the ground. Sometimes it 

 HkflS to squid on its U-nt kgft, tb Iwl MQfpvM "" in front, and the kii.--s. ,,r r.th.-r 

 ankles, bent under it-, l.ody. It generally suns itself in this ]KMiitioii, jwrtially spreading the 

 wings and slightly shaking them. Usually it sits with the head resting on the shoulders ; but 

 if alarmed at any unexpected sound, it shuts its wings, stn -t. -h. -s its neck to its utmost extent, 

 and then presents a most singular aspect. 



The Iliuht of the Heron is grand and stately, for the wings are long and wide, and in spite 

 of the long neck and countertwlancing legs, the bird moves through the air with a noble and 

 rapid flight. It is curious to see a Heron pass directly overhead. The head, body, and legs 

 an- held in a line, stiff and immovable, and the gently waving wings carry the bird through 

 the air with a rapidity that --ems the effect of mairic. 



The long beak of the Heron is \.-ry sharp and dagger-like, and can be used with terrible 

 force as an offensive weapon. The bin! instinctively aims its blow at the eye of its adversary, 

 and if incautiously handled is sure to deliver a stroke quick as lightning at the captor's eye. 

 There seems to be some attraction in the eye, for a gentleman who turned a tame Heron into 

 an aviary where five owls were kept, found next day that the Heron had totally blinded four 

 owls and only left the tifth with a single eye. Even the game-cork can make nothing of the 

 Hum, as has been seen in a short battle that raged between those birds. The cock made 

 his first fly very boldly. lnt not U-lng used to such long-legged foes, missed his stroke. 

 Returning to the attack, he was met by a Mow from tin- Heron which astonished him to 

 sit'-h a degree that he declined furth.-r <-umbat and ever afterwards avoided so unpleasant 

 an antagonist. The beak of a species of Heron set upon a stink is used by some savage ti il-- 

 as a spear. 



The nest of the Heron is almost invariably built upon some elevated spot, mostly the top 



