COMMON HEEON 13 



Like its congeners, this bird will stand as motionless as a 

 statue for a considerable time, observing the movements of 

 creatures which may venture within striking-range of its 

 formidable beak. I have watched a Heron visit a winding 

 mountain-rivulet regularly for a few successive evenings, 

 and have timed it to stand motionless for fifteen min- 

 utes before striking at a small trout. I have seen it 

 strike several times in very rapid succession, before raising 

 its head to swallow its prey. From this it seems evident 

 that the Heron may strike with the point of its closed beak, 

 as a man would use a pick-axe, thereby first disabling its 

 quarry by breaking its back. Its long, powerful, and wedge- 

 shaped beak, is admirably constructed for this purpose. 



FIG. 2.- COMMON HERONS. 



The movements of a Heron may often be successfully 

 watched from the ambush afforded by the tall reeds 

 which fringe the banks of a winding river. Probably 

 the bird will alight at a bend of the river out of sight of 

 the observer, who is then afforded an opportunity of advanc- 

 ing stealthily among the reeds. The unsuspecting bird may 

 walk by the water's edge in a direction towards the observer, 

 perhaps appearing suddenly within a few yards of him. 

 In this way I have managed to approach Herons and 

 study their habits, for many hours at a stretch, along the 



