THE FOOD OF THE HERON. 



456 



my approach within a few yards before they spread their wide wings 

 for flight. 



The food of the Heron consists mostly of fish and reptiles, but it will 

 eat small mammalia, such as mice, or even water-rats. In the stomach 

 of one of these birds were found seven small trout, a mouse, and a 

 thrush. Eels are also a favorite food of the Heron, but on account of 

 their lithe bodies and active wrigglings are not so easy to despatch as 

 ordinary fish, and are ac- 

 cordingly taken on shore 

 and banged against the 

 ground until disabled. 



Like many other birds, 

 the Heron is able to dis- 

 gorge the food which it 

 has swallowed, and re- 

 sorts to this measure when 

 it is chased by birds of 

 prey while going home 

 after a day's fishing. 



While engaged in its 

 search for food, the Her- 

 on stands on the water's 

 edge mostly with its feet 

 or foot immersed, and 

 there remains still, as if 

 carved out of wood, with 

 its neck retracted and its 

 head resting between the ^ 

 shoulders. In this atti- 

 tude 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 large size. 



The long beak of the Heron is very sharp and dagger-like, and can 

 be used with terrible force as an ofiensive weapon. The bird instinct- 

 ively 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. The beak of a species of Heron set upon a stick is used by some 

 savage tribes as a spear. 



The nest of the Heron is almost invariably built upon some elevated 

 spot, mostly the top of a large tree, but sometimes on rocks near the 

 coast. It is a large and rather clumsy-looking edifice, made of sticks 



1, Green Heron. 

 Great White Heron. 



Herons. 

 2. Night Heron. 



3. Young. 4. 



