174 P Q ackers a n d Po a ch i ng. 



gently out of the water, and 'as quietly replaced 

 in advance. Occasionally the wader steps into 

 a deep hole, but this causes not the slightest 

 flurry. The walk is changed into a sort oi 

 swimming, and paddling deep in the water until 

 the feet again touch firm ground. Woe to the 

 trout or samlet that comes within range of the 

 heron's terrible pike, for it is at once impaled 

 and gulped down. This impalement is given 

 with great force, and a wounded heron has been 

 known to drive its strong bill right through a 

 stout stick. If a fish is missed a sharp look-out 

 is kept for its line of escape, and a stealthy step 

 made towards it. Should the distance be beyond 

 range of the bird's vision, a few flaps of the 

 wings are tried in the eagerness of pursuit. 

 Nothing from the size of fry to mature fish 

 comes amiss to the heron, and the young whilst 

 still in the nest consume great quantities. Their 

 swallow is insatiable, though sometimes they 

 gaif an individual which is difficult to dispose of. 

 Shooting late one evening in summer we were 

 standing by a stream the banks .of which were 

 riddled with the holes of water-voles. It was 

 almost dark, when a large bird flapped slowly 

 over the fields and alighted by the bank. It 

 took its stand, and as we lay low its sketchy 

 form was sharply outlined against the sky. It 

 was a heron ; and for an hour among the dank 



