978 AMERICAN GAME. 
prejudice against this unoffending bird, and whenever 
opportunity offers, seldom allow it to escape. It does 
not move about much by day, though it is not strictly 
nocturnal, but is sometimes seen flying low over the 
meadow, in pursuit of short-tailed or meadow-mice, 
which I have taken whole from its stomach. It also 
feeds on fish, frogs, lizards, etc. ; and late in the season, 
its flesh is in high esteem—but it cannot be procured in 
any number except when the marshes are overflowed by 
unusually high tides, when it is hunted much after the 
manner the gunners adopt when in pursuit of rail. On 
ordinary occasions, it is difficult to flush; the instant 
it becomes aware that it has attracted the attention of 
the fowler, it lowers its head and runs quickly through 
the grass, and when again seen, is usually in a different 
direction from that taken by its pursuer, whose move- 
ments it closely watches; and when thus pursued, 
seldom exposes more than the head, leading the gunner 
over the marsh without giving him an opportunity to 
accomplish his purpose. 
“When wounded, it makes a vigorous resistance, 
erects the feathers on the head and neck, extends its 
wings, opens its bill, and assumes a fierce expression— 
will attack the dog, and even its master, and when 
defending itself, directs its acute bill at its assailant’s 
eye. It does not usually associate with other herons, 
nor does it seem fond of the society of its own species, 
