THE BIRDS. 



529 



lawns by the river-side during the day, but they always retain their 

 crafty and skulking habits. I have seen them take to the tops of the 

 highest trees, after my son has had two or three shots at them, or 

 else they will skulk in the hedge-rows, and not be seen again for 

 some days. It is said that these birds can submerge their bodies, just 

 keeping the top of their beak above water for breathing, thus eluding 

 observation. 



The Bald-faced Coot [Fulica atra, fig. 1136) has visited our water 

 the last two or three years, and two were shot as specimens; 

 otherwise it is desirable to retain them as call-birds. 



Fig. 1136. — Bald-faced Coot, ^tli nat. size. 



Fig. 1137. — Heron. 



Wild Geese have been seen crossing over the garden, but have 

 never been knov/n to settle. 



The Heron (Ardea cinerea, fig, 11 37) comes to our water, and, 

 though so elegant on the wing and so interesting to observe, is not 

 altogether a welcome visitor, especially as he delights to come at 

 night. The heron is most destructive to trout : he stands on the 

 shallows, and when a trout comes near him it is instantly transfixed 

 by the heron's powerful beak. Many a large fish is thus destroyed, 

 besides those which are devoured, and hence they are doubly 

 destructive. If a person wants herons, he cannot have fish ; "and 



M M 



