130 



NATURAL HIS TOUT. 



crawled, on hands and knees, perhaps three hundred yards of treacherous ground, slipping over sea- 

 weed, and through salt-water pools ! But it was never thus on the mud-flats ; there no friendly 

 barrier intervened to screen our approach, and we could advance only near enough to be just out of 

 shot, when the large wings were unfolded, and we were left to stand and gaze wistfully after the 

 coveted prize. Now and then, at early dawn, we have come suddenly upon a Heron while busily 

 employed under the steep bank of a brook, and have thus been enabled to knock him clown with snipe- 

 shot before he could get out of range. It was ludicrous to observe the surprise of the bird when he 

 first became aware of our presence, and with a hoarse croak clumsily endeavoured to get away. On 



PURPLE HERON. 



one occasion, accompanied by a red Setter, we were stalking a Heron, when the dog, over anxious, 

 ran forward, and attracted the attention of the bird, which immediately took wing. Instead of flying 

 away, however, he hovered over the dog, looking down at him like a Hawk. We crouched down, 

 and gave a low whistle, and the dog, coming back, actually brought up the Heron within shot, when 

 we fired and killed him. The bird seemed to follow every movement of the dog, and was so intently 

 eyeing him, that he never saw us until the gun was raised. He then turned at once to make off, but 

 too late. 



" On the coast the Heron feeds at low water during the day, and in unfrequented marshes he may 

 also be caught fishing in broad daylight ; but when compelled to get his living at reservoirs, ponds, 

 and rivers, which are oftener visited by his enemy, man, he prefers to come just before daybreak or 

 after dusk. In autumn, when the brooks run dry, we have frequently noticed the impressions of his 

 long toes, visible for miles on the soft mud, showing the great extent of ground traversed in his patient 

 search for food. Fish, frogs, mussels, and even water-rats, are all included in the Heron's bill of fare. 



