204 HERON. 



timidusLe lievre); and the ALPINE or WHITE 

 HAKE, which frequents the highland mountains, and 

 goes to earth (or rather into the clefts of rock) like a 

 fox. 



HERON, or HERONSHAW. Ardea major Le 

 heron hupe. 



Although one of the most difficult birds to approach 

 by land, yet the heron is not quite so shy of a boat 

 as might be expected. The best time to kill herons 

 is to wait for them, at dusk or by moonlight, either 

 near the brooks, rivers, or watermeadows, or under 

 the trees adjoining, on which they often assemble 

 before they begin their havock among the fisheries. 

 The shooter may either remain in a dark dress against 

 a bush or hedge ; or in a light-coloured punt and light 

 dress on the water; where he should keep by the side, 

 or under the shade of the bank. The herons will, in 

 either of these situations, come close to him before 

 they can see him ; and from the latter one he may 

 float down stream (keeping close to the leeward bank) 

 and kill them from his boat. He may bring them 

 down farther than most other birds, as they are a 

 large mark, and yet require but very little shot. 



The best way to shoot herons by day is either with 

 a rifle, or by the following contrivance. These birds, 

 when they have done fishing, generally seek the safety 

 of an open plain, where, with their long necks, they 

 can see an approaching enemy so well, that you can 

 seldom get nearer (particularly if on foot) than about 



