258 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



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- 

 stretched 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 lookout 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 observed, when wading, to stand still 

 suddenly, when no doubt its pectinated toe prevents 

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

 acteristic 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 they 

 are extended backwards. These and the retracted 

 head and neck adjust the equipoise of the body. 

 The slow, languid flaps of the wings would seem to 



* Pr T. Gough. 



