CHAPTER IV 



THE HERON 



BEFORE I describe the appearance of a 

 .wader as seen from below the water I will 

 refer to one or two points, already dealt with 

 in the first chapter, so far as they affect the 

 appearance of wading birds. 



When a wader stands on the shore by the 

 edge of the water the observer belose the surface 

 can only see the dwarfed and distorted image of 

 the head, or head and shoulders. This image 

 appears as if up in a gallery above the arc of the 

 observer's "window." The amount of the bird 

 visible in this position depends upon the distance 

 between it and the observer, and whether it is 

 right down by the water's edge or on a higher 

 level. All objects beyond, such as reeds in the 

 water, a tree on the bank, a distant wood, appear 

 in a like manner above the observer. Further, 

 all these objects seem to be on the same 



plane, and the pattern made by the plumage 



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