BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
165 
the assault that he is preparing to make upon some scaly denizen of the 
water that has had the folly to show its gilded, tempting form. 
A sudden, circular plunge, accompanied by a dull, heavy splash, and 
the frightened, squirming fish is wrested from its native element, and 
swallowed in an instant. In less time than it takes to chronicle the brief 
event, the daring, cruel deed is accomplished, and the perpetrator thereof 
has regained his post, and stands ready for similar adventures. Such is 
the greedy and unsatisfying character of his nature that, where undis- 
turbed, he has been known to watch for hours at a time without changing 
his point of lookout. It must not be supposed, however, that the quantity 
of food which he devours is in pro]3ortion to the time spent in its pro- 
curement. This is not the case. Due allowance must be made for disap- 
pointments and reverses, as well as for the failure of the finny tribes to 
manifest themselves. Tired of watching, he often varies his occupation by 
coursing along the stream at a small height above its surface, and stopj^ing 
anon, suspended after the fashion of Hawks, to gaze into the depths below. 
Nothing can be more interesting than the behavior of an individual 
who has miscalculated his chances, and fallen wide of his mark when 
plunging for prey. The very impersonation of disappointment, he retires 
to his post, sullen and dejected. His very attitude and looks attest the 
war of feelings waging within his bosom. But this is of short continuance. 
The thoughts of past experiences come to his rescue, and he is himself 
again. With the successful fellow the condition is different. Joy and 
happiness are depicted where, before, we saw but misery and sadness. 
However intently these birds may seem to be occupied with the busi- 
ness before them, they are not so completely absorbed therein as to be 
utterly oblivious to their surroundings. Blessed with sharp vision, they 
are as equally favored in the direction of hearing. When the eye is 
engaged, like a faithful sentinel on duty the ear, whose function it is to 
receive and communicate vibrations of air to the brain where they are 
interpreted, is always on the alert, ready to warn its companion of danger. 
