Sketches from Nature. 301 



by the lesser black-backed gulls ; these birds 

 invariably cause the herons to drop their game, 

 catching it as it falls. See, on a calm sunny day 

 in September, the Stacy-Marks-like group waiting 

 patiently in the channel for the flow. Some are 

 erect, with heads settled gracefully over their 

 backs ; others are exposing their breasts and 

 outspread wings to the autumnal sun ; while 

 some few, like geese, may be seen settled on 

 their legs with necks elegantly arched. It is not 

 less interesting to watch an individual fisher than 

 a group when the retiring tide has left the channel. 

 It wades cautiously with lowered head and out- 

 streched neck, each step being taken by a foot 

 being drawn out of the water and as quietly 

 replaced in advance. By gentle movements the 

 heron is often enabled to strike and secure 

 a flook at once. If a fish is missed, a sharp 

 look-out is kept for its line of escape, and then a 

 stealthy step is made in that direction. Should 

 the distance be beyond reach of the bird's vision, 

 a few flaps of the wings are tried in the eagerness 

 of the pursuit. Sometimes a heron may be ob- 

 served, when wading, to stand still suddenly, 

 when no doubt its pectinated toe prevents the 

 escape of a flat-fish or other victim.* A character- 

 istic of flight may also be mentioned. When a 

 heron rises from the ground the legs hang down, 

 but as soon as it has acquired a settled flight 



* Dr. T. Gough. 



