278 AMERICAN GAME. 



prejudice against this unoffending bird, and whenever 

 opportunity offers, seldom allow it to escape. It does 

 not move about much by day, though it is not strictly 

 nocturnal, but is sometimes^ seen flying low over the 

 meadow, in pursuit of short-tailed or meadow-mice, 

 which I have taken whole from its stomach. It also 

 feeds on fish, frogs, lizards, etc. ; and late in the season, 

 its flesh is in high esteem but it cannot be procured in 

 any number except when the marshes are overflowed by 

 unusually high tides, when it is hunted much after the 

 manner the gunners adopt when in pursuit of rail. On 

 ordinary occasions, it is difficult to flush ; the instant 

 it becomes aware that it has attracted the attention of 

 the fowler, it lowers its head and runs quickly through 

 the grass, and when -again seen, is usually in a different 

 direction from that taken by its pursuer, whose move- 

 ments it closely watches ; and when thus pursued, 

 seldom exposes more than the head, leading the gunner 

 over the marsh without giving him an opportunity to 

 accomplish his purpose. 



" When wounded, it makes a vigorous resistance, 

 erects the feathers on the head and neck, extends its 

 wings, opens its bill, and assumes a fierce expression 

 will attack the dog, and even its master, and when 

 defending itself, directs its acute bill at its assailant's 

 eye. It does not usually associate with other herons, 

 nor does it seem fond of the society of its own species. 



