GREAT WHITE HERON. 543 



up ; on which the birds rose partially on their legs, ruffled all their feathers, 

 spread their wings, opened their bills, and clicked their mandibles in great 

 anger, but without attempting to leave the nest. I ordered the dog to go 

 near them, but not to hurt them. They waited until he went within 

 striking distance, when the largest suddenly hit him with its bill, and 

 hung to his nose. Plato, however, took it all in good part, and merely 

 brought the bird towards me, when I seized it by the wings, which made it 

 let go its hold. It walked off as proudly as any of its tribe, and I was 

 delighted to find it possessed of so much courage. These birds were left 

 under the charge of Mrs Egan, until I returned from my various excur- 

 sions to the different islands along the coast. 



On the 26th of the same month, Mr Thruston took me and my com- 

 panions in his beautiful barge to some keys on which the Florida Cormo- 

 rants were breeding in great numbers. As we were on the way we ob- 

 served two tall white Herons standing on their nests ; but although I was 

 anxious to procure them alive, an unfortunate shot from one of the party 

 brought them to the water. They were, I was told, able to fly, but pro- 

 bably had never seen a man before. While searching that day for nests 

 of the Zenaida Dove, we observed a young Heron of this species stalking 

 among the mangroves that bordered the key on which we were, and im- 

 mediately pursued it. Had you been looking on, good Reader, you might 

 have enjoyed a hearty laugh, although few of us could have joined you. 

 Seven or eight persons were engaged in the pursuit of this single bird, 

 which, with extended neck, wings, and legs, made off among the tangled 

 trees at such a rate, that, anxious as I was to obtain it ahve, I several 

 times thought of shooting it. At length, however, it was caught, its bill 

 was securely tied, its legs were drawn up, and fastened by a strong cord, 

 and the poor thing was thus conveyed to Indian Key, and placed along with 

 its kinsfolk. On seeing it, the latter immediately ran towards it with open 

 bills, and greeted it with a most friendly welcome, passing their heads 

 over and under its own in the most curious and indeed ludicrous manner. 

 A bucketful of fish was thrown to them, which they swallowed in a few 

 minutes. After a few days, they also ate pieces of pork-rhind, cheese, 

 and other substances. 



While sailing along the numerous islands that occur between Indian 

 Key and Key West, I saw many birds of this species, some in pairs, some 

 single, and others in flocks ; but on no occasion did I succeed in getting 

 within shot of one. Mr Egan consoled me by saying that he knew some 



