ORDER GRALL^. 485 



thers capable of erection, and by the very thick down with 

 which the back of the neck only is furnished. Fishes 

 form the nutriment of this second division, more rarely than 

 insects, worms, or spawn. 



The Common Heron (Ardea Major,) Linn, et Cinerea, 

 Lath., has been often figured. The young, under the age of 

 three years, has been taken for the female, and is either without 

 a tuft, or has one with very short feathers. It has neither the 

 black band upon the breast, nor the long narrow feathers of 

 the bottom of the neck or top of the wings, and the general 

 colours are more dull. 



The heron seeks every where the neighbourhood of lakes, 

 of rivers, and of lands intersected by water. Almost always 

 solitary, it remains, for hours together, immoveable in the 

 same spot, placed on a single foot upon a stone, with the body 

 straight, the neck folded down on the breast and belly, the 

 head and bill couched between the shoulders, which are 

 raised, and considerably exceed the chest. When it puts 

 itself in motion to watch, upon their passage, and more nearly, 

 the frogs and fishes, which constitute its chief aliment, it 

 enters into the water above the knee, with its head between 

 the legs, and in this position, after having patiently awaited 

 the moment of seizing its prey, it suddenly unfolds its long 

 neck, and pierces its victim with its bill. It has been ascer- 

 tained that it swallows frogs entire, for their bones are found 

 in its excrements, not broken, and enveloped in a viscous 

 mucilage of a green colour, which is probably formed of their 

 skin, reduced to a paste. In time of dearth, and when the 

 water is covered with ice, it approaches running streams, and 

 hot springs, where it is said to feed on the water-lentil, and 

 other small plants. But it frequently exposes itself to perish 

 of inanition, rather than seek a milder climate. In the 

 diflPerent seasons of the year, it constantly appears so melan- 

 choly and insensible that it will remain isolated and exposed 



