A TROPIC GARDEN 247 



these radii, and each would represent a distinct 

 line, if only a heron's width apart. 



At the height of the evening's flight there were 

 sometimes fifty herons in sight at once, beating 

 steadily onward until almost overhead, when they 

 put on brakes and dropped. Some, as the little 

 egrets, were rather awkward; while the tricolors 

 were the most skilful, sometimes nose-diving, 

 with a sudden flattening out just in time to reach 

 out and grasp a branch. Once or twice, when a 

 fitful breeze blew at sunset, I had a magnificent 

 ^exhibition of aeronautics. The birds came up- 

 wind slowly, beating their way obliquely but 

 steadily, long legs stretched out far behind the 

 tail and swinging pendulum-like whenever a shift 

 of ballast was needed. They apparently did not 

 realize the unevenness of the wind, for when they 

 backed air, ready to descend, a sudden gust 

 would often undercut them and over thev would 

 go, legs, wings, and neck sprawh'ng in mid-air. 

 After one or two somersaults or a short, swift 

 dive, they would right themselves, feathers on 

 end, and frantically grasp at the first leaf or twig 

 within reach. Panting, they looked helplessly 

 around, reorientation coming gradually. 



At each arrival, a hoarse chorus went up from 



