WOODLAND PATHS 



the wonder being how so small a body 

 could sustain such a spread. 



The great blue heron, in spite of his 

 slenderness, which you can interpret as 

 grace or awkwardness, as you will, is a 

 beautiful bird and a welcome addition to 

 the pond shore, the sheltered cove or the 

 sheltered brookside pool which he fre- 

 quents. If you will come very softly to his 

 accustomed stand you may have a chance 

 to see him sit, erect and motionless, the 

 personification of dignity and vigilance. 

 The very crown of his head is white, but 

 you are more apt to notice the black 

 feathers which border it and draw to- 

 gether behind into a crest which gives a 

 thought of reserved alertness to his mo- 

 tionless pose. 



The general impression of his coloring 

 is that of a slaty gray, this melting into 

 brownish on his neck and being prettily 

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