126 WILD LIFE IN THE TREE TOPS 



would perhaps lead to one, or all of them dashing oft in consternation, and being 

 so terrified as to never return. 



So, in order to safeguard against this dreadful possibility, the contrivance 

 at the end of the string has been arranged, and before beginning to descend 

 the tree, it is necessary to continue to jerk the string until all the mature herons 

 leave the vicinity. 



At the first clatter from below the Heron with the eggs instantly raises 

 her head — ^for a few seconds she remains motionless, perhaps undecided whether 

 to leave or stay. — but as the sound increases in vehemence, she ultimately 

 rises to her feet, stands for a few seconds in bold relief against the distant tree- 

 tops, then lowering her head, she spreads her wings, and aided by a vigorous 

 ' push off,' swings away out of sight. 



How unsteadily one stands when on earth once again ! However, it is a 

 small and temporary price to pay for such an interesting experience. 



Before closing this chapter, something ought to be said regarding the food 

 upon which herons normally subsist. 



It is generally impossible to tell even from the distance of a few feet, exactly 

 what the parent heron disgorges for the family — amid such confusion one cannot 

 hope to see more than the form of some shining object as it is vigorously jerked 

 down its captor's throat. 



On one occasion, however, during the present summer, the writer was 

 watching, and photographing, a female heron feeding her young — ^when he 

 noticed that one of the youngsters had got into difficulties. In its efforts to 

 secure a good share of the meal, it had contrived to get its neck encircled by 

 the body of a large and very long eel, whose head was already some few inches 

 down the heron's throat. 



There was no question about this particular item of the meal, particularly 

 as, since it had become stuck to the young heron's neck feathers, there was 

 plenty of time to identify it ! 



But as a general rule, the simplest, as well as — may we say ? — the most 

 humane method of determining the Heron's normal food, is to examine whatever 

 food may be disgorged by the larger young ones. 



If one should climb up to a heron's nest in which there should chance to 

 be a family of well-grown youngsters, one — or all — of them is practically certain 

 to disgorge food, possibly for the reason already suggested. 



In consequence of this unique habit, it is a good plan to wear the oldest 

 possible clothes when such a calamity is possible (an umbrella has been sug- 

 gested !) for although the food is often disgorged on to the nest (and later 

 swallowed again), it is not infrequently distributed overboard, and may very 

 possibly land upon whatever portion of the climber is uppermost. As an 



