128 THE GREAT BLUE HERON. 



risk is so much the greater that birds of this species commonly aim at the 

 eye. If beaten with a pole or long stick, they throw themselves on their 

 back, cry aloud, and strike with their bill and claws with great force. I 

 have shot some on trees, which, although quite dead, clung by their claws 

 for a considerable time before they fell. I have also seen the Blue, Heron 

 giving chase to a Fish Hawk, whilst the latter was pursuing its way through 

 the air towards a place where it could feed on the fish which it bore in its 

 talons. The Heron soon overtook the Hawk, and at the very first lounge 

 made by it, the latter dropped its quarry, when the Heron sailed slowly 

 towards the ground, where it no doubt found the fish. On one occasion of 

 this kind, the Hawk dropped the fish in the water, when the Heron, as if 

 vexed that it was lost to him, continued to harass the Hawk, and forced it 

 into the woods. 



The flight of the Great Blue Heron is even, powerful, and capable of 

 being protracted to a great distance. On rising from the ground or on 

 leaving its perch, it goes off in silence with extended neck and dangling 

 legs, for eight or ten yards, after which it draws back its neck, extends its 

 feet in a straight line behind, and with easy and measured flappings continues 

 its course, at times flying low over the marshes, and again, as if suspecting 

 danger, at a considerable height over the land or the forest. It removes from 

 one pond or creek, or even from one marsh to another, in a direct manner, 

 deviating only on apprehending danger. When about to alight, it now and 

 then sails in a circular direction, and when near the spot it extends its legs, 

 and keeps its wings stretched out until it has effected a footing. The same 

 method is employed when it alights on a tree, where, however, it does not 

 appear to be as much at its ease as on the ground. When suddenly sur- 

 prised by an enemy, it utters several loud discordant notes, and mutes the 

 moment, it flies off. 



This species takes three years in attaining maturity, and even after that 

 period it still increases in size and weight. When just hatched they have a 

 very uncouth appearance, the legs and neck being very long, as well as the 

 bill. By the end of a week the head and neck are sparingly covered with 

 long tufts of silky down, of a dark grey colour, and the body exhibits young 

 feathers, the quills large, with soft blue sheaths. The tibio-tarsal joints 

 appear monstrous, and at this period the bones of the leg are so soft, that 

 one may bend them to a considerable extent without breaking them. At 

 the end of four weeks, the body and wings are well covered with feathers of 

 a dark slate-colour, broadly margined with ferruginous, the latter colour 

 shewing plainly on the thighs and the flexure of the wing; the bill has grown 

 wonderfully, the legs would not now easily break, and the birds are able to 

 stand erect on the nest or on the objects near it. They are now seldom fed 



