THE HERON AT HOME 53 



rather hurriedly along the grassy bank and enters 

 the water farther down. 



There is a break in the reeds here, and from our 

 place of concealment among the bracken it looks 

 like a little bay. Here the bird wades into deeper 

 water, until his lower breast feathers are hidden, 

 and waits for about half an hour ; but as sport is 

 not equal to expectations he again takes to the reeds 

 and soon catches two eels more. 



At this end of the lake the water is deep ; reeds 

 and water-plants are absent, and it is necessary for 

 our bird to walk along the bank. Although this is 

 quite two feet above the surface of the lake he stalks 

 along quite as carefully as if he was actually in the 

 stream, the only difference being that a crouching 

 attitude is maintained. As he nears the weeping 

 willow in the corner he stands and intently watches 

 the water. By stretching out his neck over the bank 

 he seems to be noticing the movements of something 

 some distance out. 



How long will he remain in this position? It seems 

 interminable ; one would think he would tire. But 

 a heron waiting and watching for prey will remain 

 for long scanning what to us looks like a hopeless 

 outlook. If a taxidermist were to set up a heron 

 in some of the positions I have seen them for long 

 patiently maintain, he would be laughed at, and be 

 told by everybody that it was the most unnatural 



