CHAP. XII. | The Heron Attacked. 245 
admirable. Indeed, their whole mode of procedure had 
something in it very remarkable. So well did each seem 
to understand his position, that the one never interfered 
with the other’s point of attack. One, rising higher than 
the heron, descended upon him like a dart, aiming the blow 
in general at his head; another at the same time pecked at 
him sideways and from before; while the third assailed him 
from beneath and behind. The third crow, which pecked at 
him from behind, seized hold of the heron’s feet, which, be- 
ing extended at full length backward, formed a very tempt- 
ing and prominent object for the crow to fix on. This 
movement had the effect, each time, of turning the heron 
over, which was the signal for a general outburst of exulta- 
tion among the three black rogues, manifested by their loud- 
er cawings and whimsical gesticulations—no doubt laugh- 
ing (if crows can laugh) at seeing their opponent turning 
topsy-turvy in the air, which, from his unwieldy propor- 
tions, was.rather a comical sight. 
“During one of his somersaults, the heron disgorged 
something, but, unfortunately for him, it was not observed 
by any of the crows. When it fell to the ground, the mag- 
pies, which were still chattering about, fell upon it and de- 
voured it. Finding no relief from what he had dropped, 
and being still hard pressed, he again disgorged what ap- 
peared to be a small fish. This was noticed by one of the 
hooded crows, who speedily descended, picked it up, and 
made off with it, leaving his two companions to fight the 
battle out. The heron, having now got rid of one of his 
pursuers, determined to fly away in spite of all opposition. 
But his remaining assailants, either disappointed at the 
retreat of their comrade, or irritated at the length of the 
struggle, recommenced their attack with renewed vigor. So 
artfully did they manage, that they kept the heron com- 
pletely at bay, and baffled all his endeavors to get away. 
Wearied at last of the contest, he once more dropped some- 
thing, which, from its length, seemed to be an eel. On its 
