THE HEKON. 625 



watched closely, provided that the observer is quiet, and does 

 not make a noise, or alarm the birds by abrupt movements. 



It is a very pretty sight to watch the great birds as they go to 

 and from their nests, bringing food to their young, or flying to 

 the lake in search of more fish. Numbers'of the Heron inay be 

 seen at the water's edge, sometimes standing on one foot, with 

 their long necks completely hidden, and their bayonet-like beaks 

 projecting from their shoulders. For hours the birds wDl retain 

 this attitude, which to a human being would be the essence of 

 discomfort, and it is really wonderful how they can keep up for 

 so long a time the muscular energy which is expended in holding 

 up the spare leg and keeping it tucked under their belly. 



Now and then, one of the Herons seems to wake up, and after 

 a stretch of the neck and a flap of the wings, walks statelily and 

 deliberately into the water, through which it stalks, examining 

 every inch of bank and every cluster of weeds as it passes along. 

 Presently the bird pauses, and remains quite still for some time, 

 when the long neck is suddenly darted forwards, the beak dis- 

 appears for a second among the reeds, and then emerges, with 

 a fish, frog, or water-rat in its gripe. The real beauty of the 

 Heron can never be appreciated until it is seen at liberty, 

 and in the enjoyment of its natural life. It suits the locality so 

 well that, when it flies away, the spot has lost somewhat of its 

 charms. As it stands in the water, intent upon catching prey, 

 the drooping feathers of its breast wave gracefully in the breeze, 

 and the ripples of the sunlit water are reflected in mimic waves 

 upon its grey plumed wings. 



Generally it cares little for exerting itself imtil towards the 

 evening, but then it becomes impatient and restless, and is not 

 quieted until it has obtained some food. 



Some anglers have an idea that the Heron is one of the birds 

 that ought to be ranked as "vermin," thinking that it destroys 

 so many fish, that it ruins an angler's sport. Consequently, they 

 kill the bird whenever they can manage to do so, and flatter 

 themselves that they are doing good service in preserving the 

 breed of fisL Now, even were the entire diet of the Heron to 

 consist of fish, the bird would really do but little harm, because 

 it can only take food in shallow water, and is seldom to be seen 

 more than a yard or two from the bank. But the diet of the 

 Heron is by no means exclusively of a fishy nature, inasmuch aa 



