Recognising a Distant Friend 201 



escaped it, could have carried so far as to reach its com- 

 panion's ear ; at any rate, it was some considerable time 

 before we were able to discern an answering frank ; but as 

 the birds approached one another their calls became more 

 frequent, till, as they joined, they amounted to quite a 

 mutual ovation. The two then circled round together, 

 gradually rising, until, as mere dots against the blue sky, 

 they disappeared away over the mountains. What the 

 explanation of the meeting might be, of course remained 

 a mystery ; but about the mutual joy, and understanding 

 between the birds, there could be no doubt. No long- 

 parted lovers could have met more demonstratively ; but 

 from what journey number two was returning, whether he 

 arrived quite unexpectedly, or whither the two departed, 

 we can never know. How interesting it would be could 

 the veil be withdrawn behind which such secrets are so 

 often hid ! 



There is something almost ludicrous in the efforts made 

 by a Heron to escape, when he happens to be surprised at 

 close quarters. He swerves from side to side with every 

 stroke of his huge wings, as though he would emulate the 

 zigzag flight of the Snipe, and how easily so large a bird 

 may then be missed, with both barrels, many a young 

 sportsman, and not young ones only, must have realised 

 to his confusion ! The thing looks hardly possible in 

 cooler moments ; but the mere handling of a gun often 

 seems to make the blood run quicker, and " nerves " and 

 good marksmanship seldom go together. When thus taken 

 unawares, a Heron sometimes gives us the impression that 

 he carries too much sail, and might get along more com- 

 fortably were his wings better proportioned to his weight, 

 but it is not in flight alone that his wings probably serve 

 him. When at rest, they are drawn round his spare form 

 like an ample cloak, affording protection against both cold 

 and damp, a mantle which is beautifully " finished off," so 

 to speak, by the long silky feathers which hang pendent 

 over it from the back of an adult bird. The ability of the 

 Heron to withstand cold becomes all the more apparent, 

 when we remember that most of its near relatives are 



