36 



EIiBMBNTS OP OBinXHOLOGT. 



Wading Birds, the great majority of which are strange to the 

 British Isles. But one handsome long-legged Bird, which wades 

 in ponds and rivers to catch fish with its long sharp beak, is a 

 sufficiently familiar object to many Englishmen. We refer to 

 the Heron (Ardea dnerea), which may serve as a type of many 



Fig. 35. 



The Common Bittern (Bofaurus stellaris). 



closely similar Birds, found all over the world save its coldest 

 regions. _ The Heron is a very attractive object, as it may be 

 seen fishing in some pond or perched on the branch of a tree 

 overhanging the water, or flying, somewhat slowly, flapping its 

 broad wings, with head brought back, resting on its shoulders, 

 and its long legs trailing behind it. It is a great frequenter of 



