164 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



glances watchfully around. Cautiously lie pro- 

 ceeds till the appearance of his prey — a perch, 

 perhaps — which, troubling the waters, immedi- 

 ately the heron transfixes with his bill, then 

 spreads his bfcad wings for flight. Possessing 

 an acuteness of vision equal to that of the fal- 

 con, with a disposition extremely suspicious and 

 timid, that should he perceive a person ap- 

 proaching, he will instantly take to wing. Only 

 during the love season are these herons seen in 

 pairs, at other times exhibiting a morose desire 

 of seclusion, each one securing to himself a cer- 

 tain portion as a feeding ground, from which he 

 chases all the rest. The excuse may be the 

 enormous appetite of these birds, which will not 

 permit a division of any booty that may be 

 obtained. 



At the commencement of the love season, 

 when their plumage is in full perfection, they 

 show the utmost anxiety to render themselves 

 attractive to their companions. Should any 

 competition arise, the rivals instantly become 

 combatants, when, opening their powerful bills 

 and spreading their wings, they rush furiously 

 upon each other. For half an hour the contest 

 continues, blows are returned for blows, and 

 strokes are parried with the skill of accom- 

 plished swordsmen. At length the vanquished 

 one, felled to the earth, is there left to recover 



