THE HERON. 251 



Brisson has enumerated no less than forty-seven, which 

 all vary in plumage and size, though they perfectly 

 agree in the rapacity of their desires. 



The common heron is remarkably light in propor- 

 tion to its bulk, as it does not weigh more than three 

 pounds and a half, though, when its wings are ex- 

 panded, from tip to tip they measure full five feet : 

 the bill is about five inches in length ; its claws are 

 sharp, and the middle one toothed like a saw ; and, 

 though it seems to be armed for destruction, it is so 

 cowardly as to be alarmed at the sight of a sparrow-hawk. 



It was once the amusement of the affluent and un- 

 feeling to pursue this timorous creature with the falcon, 

 as a sport ; and so anxious were they for the preserva- 

 tion of the species, that it was a twenty-shilling pe- 

 nalty for the destruction of their eggs. The heron, of 

 all birds, commits the greatest depredations upon 

 ponds which are abundantly stored with fish ; for its ap- 

 petite is so completely insatiable, that it has been 

 known to devour fifty in a day ; and, upon a calcu- 

 lation that was made by a simple experiment, it was 

 found that a single bird would destroy, in a twelve- 

 month, no less than fifty thousand carp. 



In general, the heron is seen standing by the side of 

 ponds or lakes, with its long neck sunk between its 

 shoulders, and its eyes anxiously bent upon the pool ; 

 and, whenever it observes its prey approaching, darts 

 upon it with the most certain aim : sometimes it wades 

 as far in the water as its long legs will allow it to go, 

 and waits patiently till the smaller fish take possession 

 of those shallows with which pools in general, in some 

 parts, abound. Though, in seasons that are fine, the 

 heron finds a plentiful supply, in cold and stormy wea- 

 ther it is reduced to distress, as the fish always con- 



