THE COMMON HERON. 



309 



THE GIANT HERON. 



This is an extremely formidable enemy to the scaly tribes. There 

 is, in Tresh waters, scarcely a fish, however large, that the Heron will 

 not strike at and wound, though unable to carry it oft': but the 

 smaller fry are his chief subsistence; these, pursued by their larger 

 fellows of the deep, are compelled to take refuge in shallow waters, 

 where they find the Heron a still more formidable enemy. His 

 method is to wade as far as he can go into the water, and there 

 patiently to await the approach of his prey ; into which, when it comes 

 within his sight, he darts his- bill with inevitable aim. Willughby 

 aays he has seen a Heron that had in his stomach no fewer than 

 seventeen Carp. Some gentlemen who kept tame Herons, were 

 desirous of ascertaining what average quantity one of these 



