164 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
glances watchfully around. Cautiously he pro 
ceeds till the appearance of his prey—a perch, 
perhaps—which, troubling the waters, immedi- 
ately the heron transfixes with his bill, then 
spreads his broad wings for flight. Possessing 
an acuteness of vision equal to that of the fal- 
con, with a disposition extremely suspicious and 
timid, that should he perceive a person ap- 
proaching, he will instantly take to wing. Only 
during the love season are these herons seen in 
pairs, at other times exhibiting a morose desire 
of seclusion, each one securing to himself a cer- 
tain portion as a feeding ground, from which he 
chases all the rest. The excuse may be the 
enormous appetite of these birds, which will not 
permit a division of any booty that may be 
obtained. 
At the commencement of the love season, 
when their plumage is in full perfection, they 
show the utmost anxiety to render themselves 
attractive to their companions. Should any 
competition arise, the rivals instantly become 
combatants, when, opening their powerful bills 
and spreading their wings, they rush furiously 
upon each other. For half an hour the contest 
continues, blows are returned for blows, and 
strokes are parried with the skill of accom- 
plished swordsmen. At length the vanquished 
one, felled to the earth, is there left to recover 
