BIOGRAPHY. 



41 



approached quite closely, so that their peculiar habits 

 could be watched. I was able to secure slight sketches 

 of the characteristic, and almost grotesque attitudes as- 

 sumed by the heron, and have selected three as examples. 



Fig. 1 shows the bird in a position which, in common 

 with the flamingo, stork, and other long-legged wading 

 birds, it is fojid of assuming. It doubles its legs under 

 the body, thrusts the feet forward, sinks its head upon its 

 shoulders, so as to conceal the long neck, and remains 

 so motionless and so unlike a heron that it might easily 

 be passed without notice. 



Fig. 2 shows the heron standing on one leg at rest. By 

 moving cautiously round the bird, I succeeded in getting a 

 back view, so as to show the perfect balance of the body 

 on the single leg (Fig. 3). 



Waterton had a special love for the heron, and frequently 

 alludes to the services which it renders to the owners of 

 fish-ponds. 



"Formerly we had a range of fish-ponds here, one 

 above the other, covering a space of about three acres of 

 ground. Close by them ran a brook, from which the water- 

 rats made regular passages through the intervening bank 

 into the ponds. These vermin were engaged in never- 

 ceasing mischief. No sooner was one hole repaired than 

 another was made ; so that we had the mortification to see 



