322 HIS DIET. [CHAP. vi. 



which overhung Canonmills Loch. Although the in- 

 jured wing had completely healed, yet it hung a little, 

 and the bird seemed sensible that he could not effec- 

 tually fly off, or provide for himself. He therefore re- 

 mained wholly at large, running with expanded wings 

 to Peggy when he expected food. The food consisted 

 of such fish as could be procured, haddocks, flounders, 

 herring cut in pieces ; and sometimes, in default of 

 fish, of bits of raw bullock's liver. He often followed 

 me through the garden, in expectation of being treated 

 to a bit of soft cheese, of which he was very fond, and 

 which I generally carried in the pocket of my morning 

 coat for the benefit of the other pets. He accepted 

 a bit of loaf bread, if he found that I had nothing else 

 to give him ; and when he experienced difficulty in 

 swallowing the bread, I have repeatedly admired the 

 sagacity and gravity with which he marched to the pond, 

 and dipped the morsel in the water till it was suffi- 

 ciently softened. I once saw him kill a rat. The rat 

 was busy stealing a portion of the food laid down for 

 the Heron, when he raised his head and wings, and in- 

 flicted a single blow of his bill on the head of the 

 depredator, who gave a shiver, and died. During the 

 first season the Heron picked out every perch which I 

 had in my small pond ; not a frog nor toad were left 

 in the garden, nor have I seen one ever since ; and he 

 extirpated a breed of the large edible snail (Helix 

 Pomatia) which the late Dr. Leach had sent me from 

 Somersetshire, and which had multiplied in the crevices 

 of a rock-work. In the volume of Audubon above re- 

 ferred to, you will find an account of a Great Black- 

 backed Gull which was in the habit of annually going 

 off in the breeding season, and returning to Canon- 



