96 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



CRANES AND HERONS, 



which, seeing the surface of the water below whilst flying above, are 

 attracted by the glisten, and immediately descend to reconnoitre. 

 These birds visit the ponds at regular hours, wade in the water and 

 catch with consummate skill all the fish they can get. The fact that 

 their stomachs are sometimes found to contain nothing else than 

 crayfish must not mislead the amateur into the belief that they prey 

 only on these crustaceans, as the following fact abundantly proves 

 that they prefer fish whenever they can be obtained. A heron was 

 seen flying towards the ponds; to secure the ever-ready shotgun 

 from the lodge, sneak within range and fire, did not take more than 

 five minutes' time. Yet within that short interval,, the bird had cap- 

 tured and devoured three 2^-inch long, brilliantly colored goldfish, 

 which, though already dead when taken out of the bird's stomach, 

 were still perfectly bright, showing conclusively that they had just 

 been swallowed. 



If these birds discover that fishing in the ponds pays well, they 

 will become frequent visitors, and, if not killed, soon clean out the 

 establishment. But, as before stated, they come at regular hours, 

 thus affording the one on duty at the ponds an easy chance to be on 

 the watch to kill or trap them. 



THE KINGFISHER. 



This bird may likewise be expected to visit the ponds, but it gen- 

 erally advertises its arrival with a lusty kar-r-r-r-r-ack ! that may be 

 heard quite a distance. 



It selects projections over the water, such as a branch of a tree, 

 a post, or the outlet pipe of the ponds, from whence it shoots down 

 upon the unsuspecting fish, seldom missing. It also supports itself 

 upon its wings immediately over the water, darting down upon its 

 prey with like success. 



