208 HERON. 



by land, yet the heron is not quite so shy of a boat as 

 might be expected. The best time to kill herons is to 

 wait for them, at dusk or by moonlight, either near the 

 brooks, rivers, or water meadows, or under the trees ad- 

 joining, on which they often assemble before they begin 

 their havoc among the fisheries. The shooter may 

 either remain in a dark dress against a bush or hedge, 

 or in a light-coloured punt and light dress on the 

 water; where he should keep by the side, or under the 

 shade of the bank. The herons will, in either of these 

 situations, come close to him before they can see him ; 

 and from the latter one he may float down stream 

 (keeping close to the leeward bank) and kill them 

 from his boat. He may bring them down farther than 

 most other birds, as they are a large mark, and yet 

 require but very little shot. 



The best way to shoot herons by day is either with 

 a rifle, or by the following contrivance. These birds, 

 when they have done fishing, generally seek the safety 

 of an open plain, where, with their long necks, they can 

 see an approaching enemy so well, that you can seldom 

 get nearer (particularly if on foot) than about two hun- 

 dred yards. Go, therefore, when it blows a strong gale 

 of wind, on a fast galloping horse, and get as near as 

 possible to them on the leeward side. The moment 

 the herons begin to rise, charge for them at full speed ; 

 and, before they can possibly make head against the 

 wind, you will either get under them, or they will fly 

 over you, and very seldom out of gun shot. The only 

 obstacle is the chance of missing them, from the dif- 

 ficulty of keeping the horse sufficiently steady to shoot 

 from his back, immediately after being pulled up from 

 a gallop. 



