H /iDarsb^lanD IFnct^ent 



main, but dotted irregularly with tufts or 

 tussocks of high weeds and rush-like plants 

 — a plashy area half covered with water. 



I had stretched myself on a big log to 

 rest, my back to the wood, my face to the 

 marsh and the sea beyond, and had lain 

 thus for half an hour, when a small object 

 moving slyly at the edge of a tussock 

 caught my eye. A peculiar satiny gleam 

 betrayed it, and then I saw the form of a 

 heron. Out came my field-glass, and in a 

 moment a beautiful egret was stalking appa- 

 rently almost under my nose. It was the 

 Louisiana egret, a rare bird now, so many 

 have been killed for their beautiful plumes. 

 Of course it was not in full feather; but 

 it was lovely even without its fine purple 

 trail, and every movement displayed a tint 

 of color exquisitely delicate. I saw that 

 it was feeding upon what it got by stab- 

 bing the mud with its bill, probably some 

 kind of grub or marsh insect. Its eyes 

 flashed with a reddish light and had a 

 singularly cruel expression. The purple 

 of its neck-feathers and crest shimm.ered 

 softly in the sunlight. 

 I.S4 



