250 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
denizens of tropical countries migrate to the United States, and associate 
with their northern brethren that winter in our Southern States, and even 
pursue their journey to colder latitudes. 
For nearly a month after its arrival the Heron is a solitary feeder, 
and seems to care for naught but the gratification of appetite. Knee-deep 
in some small stagnant stream or pool, or in the midst of sylvan glade or 
reedy marsh, he may be seen awaiting his prey. His movements are 
characterized by remarkable artfulness and skill. The extreme caution 
evinced by the game he seeks, and its facility to elude pursuit, presup- 
pose the possession of a nicety of address, and of celerity of action. When 
on the lookout for minnows, and other small fish, he takes up his position 
by the side of the ditch, and with his long- reaching neck contracted over 
his breast, prepared for duty, he waits, in statue-like repose, the appearance 
thereof. The keen, flashing eye bespeaks the anxiety reigning within. He 
has not long to watch. Soon a luckless little fellow approaches the hank 
cautiously, when, with one stroke of the bill, as unerring and sudden as 
that of the blow of a rattlesnake, he is transfixed, and ere he has time to 
contemplate the condition of affairs, is swallowed entire. Worms, aquatic 
larvae and small crabs are eagerly hunted, and caj^tiu’ed with wonderful 
adroitness. It is, however, when in quest of frogs, that he displays the 
exceeding cunning of which he is capable. These subtle, wary creatures 
are diflTicult to surprise, and plunge into the water and mire on the slight- 
est noise or alarm. A few moments elapse before they are sufficiently 
assured to venture to the surface again, but when they are, the movement 
is always performed with great caution and circumspection. While the 
frog is recovering from its fright, the Heron is laying his plans on the 
oozy flat above. Fixing his penetrating gaze iqjoii the spot where his 
game disappeared, he steals slowly forward, and patiently awaits the first 
appearance of the bronzy head, at the sight of which, with almost light- 
ning-like movement, he deals the unfortunate blow; the squirming, wriggling 
mass of matter is jerked from its watery bath, only to be dashed to death 
upon stones, and eaten at leisure. 
