XXIV.— THE PADDY-BIRD. 



" The eel's foe the heroun." — Chaucer. 



It is not many cities of this size that can claim a 

 heron of any sort as a resident, but the Pond Heron 

 or Paddy-bird (Ardeola grayi) lives and moves and 

 has his being with us always, and is very fairly 

 numerous. Conspicuous he is too, when he spreads 

 his white wings for flight ; until then you will probably 

 not notice him at all in most cases. For his drab 

 upper plumage is most admirably protective, and 

 he would well merit the title of the " surprise bird," 

 if the American globe-trotter had not already 

 bestowed that on the Roller or blue-jay. When the 

 breeding season comes on in the rains, however, 

 the Paddy-bird feels that he must be smart at all 

 risks, and goes in for a dun ruff and maroon cloak, 

 an alteration in his appearance that " gives him 

 away " at once. I say " him," but as a matter of 

 fact " her " would be just as correct, for the Paddy- 

 birds, like most of the heron family, show no 

 difference between the sexes, even when they put on 

 a wedding-dress. Young Paddy-birds are drab-and- 

 white like the old ones in winter, though they may 

 F, BC II 



