THE COMMON HERON 153 
it is rather increasing than decreasing in numbers. 
The young birds are peculiarly ugly, and have 
a rather mad-looking hairy down covering on their 
heads, which is retained till they have become 
almost fully fledged. When I have been watching 
Herons standing, patiently waiting by the hour 
together, for fish to come within striking distance, 
I have often wondered. if there was any truth in 
the old homely legend of their legs having some 
potent fascination by reason of an exuded oil 
which the fish love, that tempts them to come 
swimming round and round till they approach too 
near and are adroitly caught. Anyhow this is 
certain, it does not walk after them; they come 
to it. Having chosen its spot, it remains there 
as quiet as a mouse, and with the true fisherman’s 
patience bides its time. It is a curious sight 
to see the way in which it perches on a branch. 
It drops its long, thin legs and seizes it with its 
extended toes, but always seems to find it hard 
to get its balance, and as the branch sways with 
its weight it bends its body this way and that, 
all the time keeping its wings expanded as if 
trying to get just the right balance, and you realise 
then that it is no true “perching bird.” It lends 
its picturesque form to Egyptian scenery, just 
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